How Can I Watch the World Cup 2026 in the UK?
Every match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup is free-to-air in the UK, shown live on BBC and ITV. The two broadcasters share coverage of all 104 matches across their TV channels and streaming platforms — BBC iPlayer and ITVX — with both showing the final on 19 July. No subscription is required, only a valid UK TV licence for live BBC and iPlayer coverage. Scottish viewers can also watch selected matches on STV and STV Player.
The 2026 World Cup runs from 11 June to 19 July across the USA, Canada and Mexico. Thanks to North American time zones, most matches kick off in the UK evening, making this the most viewer-friendly World Cup in years. Below is the full UK TV guide: how the BBC and ITV split coverage, the group-stage schedule, England and Scotland’s fixtures, and how to stream every game for free.
For betting coverage, see our World Cup 2026 odds, tips and predictions hub and England World Cup 2026 odds.
Is the World Cup 2026 Free to Watch in the UK?
Yes. Every single match of the 2026 World Cup is free-to-air in the UK. The BBC and ITV share the broadcast rights to all 104 matches, so there is no pay-TV element and no subscription needed. You can watch on:
- BBC One, BBC Two and BBC iPlayer (free with a UK TV licence)
- ITV1, ITV4 and ITVX (free, ad-supported)
- STV and STV Player in Scotland for selected matches
A valid UK TV licence is required to watch live BBC coverage and to stream live on BBC iPlayer. ITVX is free to stream but requires a free account registration.
What Channel Is the World Cup 2026 On?
The World Cup 2026 is on BBC and ITV in the UK, with the two broadcasters splitting the 104 matches between them. Both show matches across their main and secondary channels:
- BBC: BBC One, BBC Two, plus live streams on BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport online
- ITV: ITV1, ITV4, plus live streams on ITVX
For matches where both broadcasters hold rights — including the final — you can choose which channel’s coverage and presenting team you prefer. 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, while both broadcasters share the final on 19 July.
How to Stream the World Cup 2026 Free in the UK
Every match can be streamed free in the UK through the broadcasters’ own platforms:
BBC iPlayer streams all BBC-allocated matches live and free, with a valid TV licence required. Download the app and sign in before the tournament starts.
ITVX streams all ITV-allocated matches live and free. A free ITVX account is required, but there is no subscription charge.
BBC Sport online and the BBC Sport app carry live text, highlights and clips alongside the iPlayer streams. ITVX carries highlights and analysis for ITV fixtures.
For the best experience, download both BBC iPlayer and ITVX before the tournament and make sure your TV licence details are current. Pubs and fan zones across the UK will also show matches throughout the tournament.
World Cup 2026 Group Stage — UK TV Schedule
Every group-stage match with UK kick-off times (BST) and the broadcaster. All times and channel allocations should be confirmed against official BBC and ITV listings closer to kick-off, as broadcaster picks can change.
Matchday 1
| Date | Time (BST) | Match | Channel |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 June | 8:00pm | Mexico vs South Africa | ITV |
| 12 June | 3:00am | South Korea vs Czechia | ITV |
| 12 June | 8:00pm | Canada vs Bosnia-Herzegovina | BBC |
| 13 June | 2:00am | USA vs Paraguay | BBC |
| 13 June | 8:00pm | Qatar vs Switzerland | ITV |
| 13 June | 11:00pm | Brazil vs Morocco | BBC |
| 14 June | 2:00am | Scotland vs Haiti | BBC |
| 14 June | 5:00am | Australia vs Türkiye | ITV |
| 14 June | 6:00pm | Germany vs Curaçao | ITV |
| 14 June | 9:00pm | Netherlands vs Japan | ITV |
| 15 June | 12:00am | Ivory Coast vs Ecuador | BBC |
| 15 June | 3:00am | Sweden vs Tunisia | ITV |
| 15 June | 5:00pm | Spain vs Cape Verde | ITV |
| 15 June | 8:00pm | Belgium vs Egypt | BBC |
| 15 June | 11:00pm | Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay | ITV |
| 16 June | 2:00am | Iran vs New Zealand | BBC |
| 16 June | 8:00pm | France vs Senegal | BBC |
| 16 June | 11:00pm | Iraq vs Norway | BBC |
| 17 June | 2:00am | Argentina vs Algeria | ITV |
| 17 June | 5:00am | Austria vs Jordan | BBC |
| 17 June | 6:00pm | Portugal vs Congo DR | BBC |
| 17 June | 9:00pm | England vs Croatia | ITV |
| 18 June | 12:00am | Ghana vs Panama | ITV |
| 18 June | 3:00am | Uzbekistan vs Colombia | BBC |
Matchday 2
| Date | Time (BST) | Match | Channel |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18 June | 5:00pm | South Africa vs Czechia | BBC |
| 18 June | 8:00pm | Bosnia-Herzegovina vs Switzerland | ITV |
| 18 June | 11:00pm | Canada vs Qatar | ITV |
| 19 June | 2:00am | Mexico vs South Korea | BBC |
| 19 June | 8:00pm | USA vs Australia | BBC |
| 19 June | 11:00pm | Scotland vs Morocco | ITV |
| 20 June | 2:00am | Brazil vs Haiti | ITV |
| 20 June | 5:00am | Paraguay vs Türkiye | ITV |
| 20 June | 6:00pm | Netherlands vs Sweden | BBC |
| 20 June | 9:00pm | Germany vs Ivory Coast | ITV |
| 21 June | 1:00am | Curaçao vs Ecuador | BBC |
| 21 June | 5:00am | Japan vs Tunisia | BBC |
| 21 June | 5:00pm | Spain vs Saudi Arabia | BBC |
| 21 June | 8:00pm | Belgium vs Iran | ITV |
| 21 June | 11:00pm | Cape Verde vs Uruguay | BBC |
| 22 June | 2:00am | Egypt vs New Zealand | ITV |
| 22 June | 6:00pm | Argentina vs Austria | BBC |
| 22 June | 10:00pm | France vs Iraq | BBC |
| 23 June | 1:00am | Senegal vs Norway | ITV |
| 23 June | 4:00am | Algeria vs Jordan | ITV |
| 23 June | 6:00pm | Portugal vs Uzbekistan | ITV |
| 23 June | 9:00pm | England vs Ghana | BBC |
| 24 June | 12:00am | Croatia vs Panama | BBC |
| 24 June | 3:00am | Colombia vs Congo DR | ITV |
Matchday 3
| Date | Time (BST) | Match | Channel |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24 June | 8:00pm | Canada vs Switzerland | ITV |
| 24 June | 8:00pm | Bosnia-Herzegovina vs Qatar | ITV |
| 24 June | 11:00pm | Scotland vs Brazil | BBC |
| 24 June | 11:00pm | Morocco vs Haiti | BBC |
| 25 June | 2:00am | Mexico vs Czechia | BBC |
| 25 June | 2:00am | South Africa vs South Korea | BBC |
| 25 June | 9:00pm | Germany vs Ecuador | BBC |
| 25 June | 9:00pm | Curaçao vs Ivory Coast | BBC |
| 26 June | 12:00am | Japan vs Sweden | BBC |
| 26 June | 12:00am | Netherlands vs Tunisia | BBC |
| 26 June | 3:00am | USA vs Türkiye | ITV |
| 26 June | 3:00am | Paraguay vs Australia | ITV |
| 26 June | 8:00pm | France vs Norway | ITV |
| 26 June | 8:00pm | Senegal vs Iraq | ITV |
| 27 June | 1:00am | Cape Verde vs Saudi Arabia | ITV |
| 27 June | 1:00am | Uruguay vs Spain | ITV |
| 27 June | 4:00am | Egypt vs Iran | BBC |
| 27 June | 4:00am | New Zealand vs Belgium | BBC |
| 27 June | 10:00pm | England vs Panama | ITV |
| 27 June | 10:00pm | Croatia vs Ghana | ITV |
| 28 June | 12:30am | Colombia vs Portugal | BBC |
| 28 June | 12:30am | Congo DR vs Uzbekistan | BBC |
| 28 June | 3:00am | Algeria vs Austria | BBC |
| 28 June | 3:00am | Argentina vs Jordan | BBC |
How to Watch England at the World Cup 2026
England are in Group L with Croatia, Ghana and Panama. All three group games are at UK-friendly evening kick-off times, split between ITV and BBC:
| Match | Date | Time (BST) | Channel |
|---|---|---|---|
| England vs Croatia | Wednesday 17 June | 9:00pm | ITV |
| England vs Ghana | Tuesday 23 June | 9:00pm | BBC |
| Panama vs England | Saturday 27 June | 10:00pm | ITV |
The BBC will also show any England knockout matches it picks in the Round of 32, Round of 16 and semi-finals, with the final shared between both broadcasters. For full England betting coverage, see our England World Cup 2026 odds page and Group L preview.
How to Watch Scotland at the World Cup 2026
Scotland are in Group C alongside Brazil, Morocco and Haiti — a tough draw featuring five-time winners Brazil and AFCON winners Morocco. Scotland’s group fixtures:
| Match | Date | Time (BST) | Channel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scotland vs Haiti | Sunday 14 June | 2:00am | BBC |
| Scotland vs Morocco | Friday 19 June | 11:00pm | ITV |
| Scotland vs Brazil | Wednesday 24 June | 11:00pm | BBC |
Scottish viewers can also watch selected matches via STV and STV Player alongside the BBC and ITV coverage.
Key World Cup 2026 Matches to Watch in the UK
The expanded 48-team group stage is packed with standout fixtures. A few to circle:
| Match | Date | Time (BST) | Channel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mexico vs South Africa (opening match) | 11 June | 8:00pm | ITV |
| Brazil vs Morocco | 13 June | 11:00pm | BBC |
| England vs Croatia | 17 June | 9:00pm | ITV |
| France vs Norway (Mbappé vs Haaland) | 26 June | 8:00pm | ITV |
| Scotland vs Brazil | 24 June | 11:00pm | BBC |
| Uruguay vs Spain | 27 June | 1:00am | ITV |
England versus Croatia rekindles memories of the 2018 semi-final, France versus Norway pits Kylian Mbappé against Erling Haaland, and Scotland against Brazil could be one of the stories of the tournament.
How Does the World Cup 2026 Work?
The 2026 World Cup is the first 48-team tournament. The format:
- 48 teams in 12 groups of four
- Each team plays three group-stage matches
- The top two from each group, plus the eight best third-placed teams, advance to a new Round of 32
- Traditional knockout rounds follow through to the final
- 104 matches across 16 venues in the USA, Canada and Mexico
- The tournament runs 11 June to 19 July — 39 days
Because of the North American time zones, many kick-offs fall in the UK evening, making the tournament far more viewer-friendly than recent editions in Qatar or further afield.
Watching the World Cup 2026 Abroad
UK viewers travelling abroad during the tournament may find BBC iPlayer and ITVX geo-restricted outside the UK. Some travellers use a VPN to connect to a UK server and access UK streams from abroad. Note that a valid UK TV licence is still required to watch live BBC content or stream on iPlayer, even via a VPN, and you should check each broadcaster’s terms before travelling.
How to Watch the World Cup 2026 FAQs
Can I watch every World Cup 2026 match for free in the UK?
Yes. Every match of the 2026 World Cup is free-to-air in the UK through a shared deal between the BBC and ITV. No subscription is required — only a valid UK TV licence for live BBC and iPlayer coverage.
What channel is the World Cup 2026 on in the UK?
The World Cup 2026 is on BBC and ITV. The two broadcasters split all 104 matches across BBC One, BBC Two, ITV1 and ITV4, with live streams on BBC iPlayer and ITVX, and both show the final.
Is the World Cup 2026 final on BBC or ITV?
Both. The BBC and ITV share coverage of the 2026 World Cup final on 19 July, so UK viewers can watch on either channel and choose their preferred presenting team.
How can I stream the World Cup 2026 for free?
Stream free via BBC iPlayer (BBC matches, TV licence required) and ITVX (ITV matches, free account required). Both apps carry every match allocated to their broadcaster live.
What time do World Cup 2026 matches kick off in the UK?
Most matches kick off in the UK evening thanks to North American time zones, with prime-time fixtures typically between 5pm and 11pm BST. Some matches in US and Canadian late slots fall in the early hours of the UK morning.
What channel is England vs Croatia on?
England vs Croatia on Wednesday 17 June (9pm BST) is on ITV. England’s other group games are against Ghana on 23 June (BBC) and Panama on 27 June (ITV).
Do I need a TV licence to watch the World Cup 2026?
Yes, for live BBC coverage and BBC iPlayer streaming you need a valid UK TV licence. ITVX is free to stream with a free account and does not require a TV licence, though a licence is required to watch any live TV as it is broadcast.
Can I watch the World Cup 2026 on STV?
Yes. Scottish viewers can watch selected matches on STV and STV Player, alongside the UK-wide BBC and ITV coverage.
When does the World Cup 2026 start and finish?
The 2026 World Cup starts on 11 June 2026 with Mexico vs South Africa and finishes with the final on 19 July 2026 at MetLife Stadium, New Jersey.
More World Cup 2026 Content
- World Cup 2026 Odds, Tips and Predictions Hub — the complete betting guide
- England World Cup 2026 Odds — every England market analysed
- World Cup 2026 Group L Preview — England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama
- World Cup 2026 Top Goalscorer Tips — Jake Gray’s Golden Boot picks
- World Cup 2026 Dark Horses — the outsiders to watch
Broadcast schedule and channel allocations are correct at the time of writing and should be confirmed against official BBC and ITV listings closer to each match, as picks can change. Kick-off times are in BST.
