The 2026 FIFA World Cup is set to be the biggest in history, expanding to 48 teams and 104 matches across the three host nations: the USA, Canada, and Mexico. For football fans in the UK, there’s even more good news — the entire tournament will once again be available completely free-to-air. The long-established partnership between BBC Sport and ITV Sport continues, ensuring wall-to-wall coverage across TV, online and radio.

Both broadcasters will share the matches throughout the tournament, including group fixtures, key knockout clashes and the final — which will be shown simultaneously on both BBC and ITV. This joint arrangement means fans can choose their preferred commentary teams, analysis style, or simply switch between broadcasts as they wish.

The World Cup remains a “listed” event under UK broadcasting laws, which means the competition must be available on free-to-air platforms. As a result, neither subscription channels nor streaming-only platforms have exclusive rights — a major win for accessibility and national reach.

How to Watch in the UK

BBC Coverage

Viewers will be able to follow matches on BBC One and BBC Two, complemented by comprehensive streaming through BBC iPlayer. The broadcaster will also provide extensive on-demand access, including full-match replays, highlights, expert analysis and digital extras via its website and app.

For fans who prefer audio, BBC Radio 5 Live and 5 Sports Extra will carry live commentary on many games, supported by extra discussion and interviews on BBC Sounds.

ITV Coverage

ITV’s coverage will be shown across ITV1 and ITV4, with all matches available online through ITVX. The platform will provide live streams, full-match replays and additional behind-the-scenes or social-media-friendly content. ITV Sport has also confirmed that highlight shows and extended coverage will feature heavily throughout the tournament.

Between the two broadcasters, fans will have more than enough ways to tune in — whether at home on TV, on the go via mobile apps, or catching up the morning after.

UK Match Times

Because the 2026 World Cup is hosted across multiple North American time zones, not all kick-off times will perfectly align with traditional UK viewing hours. However, many of the biggest fixtures have been scheduled with European audiences in mind.

One confirmed example is the tournament’s opening match — Mexico vs South Africa — which will air in the UK at 20:00 BST. A large number of other matches are also planned for UK prime-time slots, particularly the biggest group stage matches and knockout games.

Some fixtures will inevitably fall late at night or early in the morning UK-time due to the geographical spread of host venues. However, both BBC iPlayer and ITVX will provide full replays and highlights shortly after each game ends, ensuring no fan misses anything.

The BBC will show Scotland’s first men’s World Cup match since 1998 when they face Haiti on 14 June, along with their final group game against Brazil. England’s second group match against Ghana on 23 June will also air on BBC, as will any of their knockout matches if they progress.

ITV will broadcast England’s other Group L games against Croatia and Panama, plus Scotland’s match with Morocco.

If Wales or Northern Ireland qualify through the March play-offs, the BBC will show their group match against Canada on 12 June. Two Republic of Ireland group games will also air on BBC if they reach the tournament.

The BBC holds three of the top four picks in the round of 16 and three of the top five in the round of 32. Both broadcasters will show the final.

The BBC will also broadcast Argentina’s group matches against Austria and Jordan, plus two group games each for France, Brazil, the Netherlands and Portugal.