The FIFA World Cup 2026 has reached the semi-final stage, with just four nations remaining in the race to lift football’s biggest prize.

Following a thrilling quarter-final round, France, Spain, England and Argentina have booked their places in the last four. UK football fans can once again watch both semi-finals live and free-to-air, with coverage shared between the BBC and ITV.

As throughout the tournament, every remaining match is available on terrestrial television, with live streaming provided through BBC iPlayer, the BBC Sport website, and ITVX.

With a place in the FIFA World Cup Final at stake, the semi-finals promise to deliver two of the biggest matches of the tournament.

FIFA World Cup 2026 Semi-Final UK TV Schedule

Watch the Semi-Finals Free on Spanish TV

If you’re watching from Spain, both FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-finals are also available free-to-air.

Spanish public broadcaster RTVE is broadcasting both semi-finals live across its television and online platforms, meaning viewers throughout Spain can watch every moment without the need for a paid sports subscription.

The matches will be available on La 1 and via RTVE Play, complete with Spanish commentary, expert analysis and live coverage before and after each game.

For British expatriates living in Spain, holidaymakers on the Costa Blanca or Costa del Sol, or anyone travelling during the tournament, RTVE provides an excellent free alternative to the UK broadcasts.

England Reach the Last Four

England have reached the World Cup semi-finals after defeating Norway 2-1 in the quarter-finals.

The Three Lions now face defending champions Argentina in what promises to be one of the biggest football matches of the year. England will be hoping to reach their first World Cup Final since 1966, while Argentina are aiming to defend the title they won four years ago.

The match will be shown live on BBC One, with simultaneous coverage available on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website.

France and Spain Battle for a Place in the Final

The first semi-final sees two European footballing giants go head-to-head as France face Spain.

France secured their place in the last four by defeating Morocco, while Spain edged past Belgium in an entertaining quarter-final.

With world-class players on both sides and a place in the World Cup Final on the line, this promises to be one of the standout matches of the tournament.

UK viewers can watch the match live on ITV1 and ITVX.

Why England’s Semi-Final Is on BBC

Many viewers wonder how the BBC and ITV decide which matches each broadcaster shows.

For the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the BBC was awarded first choice of the knockout fixtures when the television selections were made following the tournament draw.

Once England secured their place in the semi-finals, it became an obvious decision for the BBC to select England vs Argentina, leaving France vs Spain for ITV.

The FIFA World Cup Final remains a shared event and will be broadcast live on both BBC and ITV, allowing viewers to choose their preferred commentary and presentation.

How to Watch Every Remaining Match

There are now only four matches left in the FIFA World Cup 2026:

• Semi-final: France vs Spain
• Semi-final: England vs Argentina
• Third-place play-off
• FIFA World Cup Final

All remaining matches will be shown free-to-air in both the United Kingdom and Spain.

United Kingdom

• BBC One
• BBC iPlayer
• BBC Sport
• ITV1
• ITVX

Spain

• La 1
• RTVE Play

Whether you’re watching in the UK or Spain, every remaining match can be enjoyed live without the need for a paid sports subscription.

The Road to the Final

With just two semi-finals remaining, the race to become FIFA World Cup 2026 champions is almost over.

England continue their dream of reaching a first World Cup Final in 60 years, while Argentina hope to retain the trophy they won in Qatar. France are chasing a third World Cup title, while Spain are aiming to become world champions for the second time.

Whatever happens over the coming days, football fans are guaranteed two unforgettable evenings of action before attention turns to the FIFA World Cup Final, which will once again be available live and free-to-air on BBC, ITV, and RTVE.