How to watch World Cup in the United Kingdom

BBC holds non-exclusive free-to-air rights to the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United Kingdom, sharing coverage with ITV. Matches will be broadcast across BBC One, BBC Two, and BBC Three, with live streaming available on BBC iPlayer. Coverage is free-to-air, though only a portion of matches will air on BBC due to the shared agreement.

Where to Watch

UK viewers can watch the 2026 FIFA World Cup live on BBC television channels and via its digital platforms. Coverage is split evenly with ITV, meaning BBC will broadcast approximately half of the tournament’s 104 matches.

• BBC One
• BBC Two
• BBC Three
• BBC iPlayer (streaming)

Match Coverage

BBC’s selection includes a range of high-profile fixtures throughout the tournament. This includes group-stage matches featuring major national teams such as Argentina, France, Portugal, Brazil, and the Netherlands. Additional matches involving Spain, Germany, and Belgium are also scheduled.

BBC will broadcast:

• Two group-stage matches each involving Argentina, France, Portugal, Brazil, and the Netherlands
• Selected group-stage matches featuring Spain, Germany, and Belgium
• USA vs. Paraguay (July 12) and Canada’s opening match
• Scotland’s opening and final group-stage matches (if qualified)
• England vs. Ghana (June 23) in the group stage
• Up to three England knockout matches (round of 32, round of 16, semi-final), if applicable
• Three top picks from the round of 32
• Three top picks from the round of 16
• The FIFA World Cup Final (simulcast with ITV)

Streaming Availability

BBC iPlayer provides live streaming of all matches broadcast on BBC channels. It also includes on-demand replays, highlights, and supplementary programming. The platform is accessible via web browsers and dedicated apps.

• Web browsers (desktop and laptop)
• Android and iOS mobile devices
• Smart TVs and streaming devices (supported platforms)

Subscription & Access

BBC coverage is free-to-air in the UK. Access to BBC iPlayer requires a valid UK TV licence and a registered account. No additional subscription is needed.

Broadcast Features

All BBC channels provide matches in high definition (HD). Coverage includes English commentary, studio analysis, and interviews. Additional programming includes highlights packages, digital clips, and social media content.

Replays & Highlights

BBC iPlayer hosts full match replays, condensed highlights, and related content such as documentaries and interviews. Highlights are also broadcast across BBC television channels following matchdays.

ITV will broadcast the 2026 FIFA World Cup live in the United Kingdom on ITV1 and ITV4, with matches also available to stream on ITVX, offering free-to-air coverage as part of a shared rights agreement with the BBC. Viewers can watch select matches, including the opening game and the final (co-broadcast), without a subscription across both TV and digital platforms.

Where to Watch

ITV holds shared UK broadcasting rights for the 2026 FIFA World Cup alongside the BBC. Matches will be shown across ITV’s linear channels and digital services, providing wide access to the tournament.

• TV channels: ITV1, ITV4
• Streaming platform: ITVX (free, with optional premium tier)

Free-to-Air Coverage

All ITV broadcasts are available free-to-air in the United Kingdom. Viewers can access coverage through Freeview and Freesat, as well as through major pay-TV providers such as Sky TV, Virgin Media, and EE TV without additional cost for the channels themselves.

Match Coverage Details

Out of the 104 matches in the expanded tournament, ITV will broadcast a significant portion, including:

• 29 group-stage matches
• Exclusive coverage of the opening match (Mexico vs South Africa on June 14)
• Two England group-stage matches, including the opener against Croatia (June 17)
• One Scotland group-stage match (Scotland vs Morocco on June 19)
• Argentina’s opening match against Algeria (June 16)
• Select matches featuring Spain, France, Brazil, Germany, Portugal, and the Netherlands
• Top picks from the Round of 32 and quarter-finals
• Co-broadcast of the final on July 19

Streaming Availability

Fans can watch the FIFA World Cup live stream in the UK via ITVX, which provides simulcasts of ITV’s TV coverage. The platform is accessible for free with ads, while ITVX Premium offers ad-free viewing.

Device Support

ITVX is available on a wide range of devices, including:

• Smart TVs (Apple TV, Android TV, LG, Hisense)
• Mobile devices (iOS and Android smartphones and tablets)
• Streaming devices (Amazon Fire TV, Roku, Chromecast, NVIDIA Shield)
• Games consoles (PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S)
• NOW Smart Sticks and Boxes

Broadcast Coverage

ITV’s production will be based in the United States, with a studio in New York City overlooking the Brooklyn Bridge. Coverage will include live presentation, studio analysis, and match commentary throughout the tournament.

Presenters and Pundits

The broadcaster has confirmed its main on-air team, including:

• Presenters: Mark Pougatch, Laura Woods
• Pundits: Gary Neville, Roy Keane, Ian Wright

Replays and Highlights

ITV will provide highlights of every match across its platforms. In addition to traditional TV highlights programming, clips and analysis will be distributed on ITV Football’s social media channels, including Instagram, X, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok.

STV will broadcast selected matches from the 2026 FIFA World Cup live in Scotland, with coverage available free-to-air on STV and via the STV Player streaming platform. Scottish viewers can watch key fixtures, including the final, without a subscription, alongside additional shared coverage with ITV and the BBC.

Where to Watch

STV provides free-to-air TV coverage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Scotland. Matches are available on the main STV channel, with simultaneous live streaming offered through STV Player.

• TV: STV
• Streaming: STV Player (website and app)

Free-to-Air Coverage

As part of its broadcast agreement secured in December 2024, STV will show 29 group-stage matches from the expanded 48-team tournament. Coverage is free via Freeview and Freesat, with additional access through Sky, Virgin Media, and Now TV platforms.

STV will also broadcast the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final on July 19, held at MetLife Stadium, with shared UK coverage alongside ITV, ITV4, and the BBC.

Match Coverage Details

STV’s schedule includes a selection of high-profile fixtures from the group stage, such as the opening match between Mexico and South Africa on June 11. Matches involving major teams like Argentina, Portugal, Brazil, and France are also part of the broadcast lineup.

England’s opening match against Croatia and their final group-stage fixture versus Panama will be shown on STV. For Scotland matches, STV will air the Matchday 2 game against Morocco, while other Scotland group matches are allocated to the BBC.

If Scotland progresses beyond the group stage, STV is scheduled to broadcast their round of 32 match.

Streaming Availability

Fans looking to watch the FIFA World Cup live stream in Scotland can access all STV matches through STV Player at no cost. The platform provides live simulcasts of TV broadcasts and may include catch-up access for select matches.

Supported Devices

STV Player is widely supported across connected devices, allowing flexible viewing options:

• Web browsers (desktop and mobile)
• iOS and Android smartphones and tablets
• Amazon Fire TV and Roku
• Samsung Smart TVs
• Sky Q, Sky Glass, and Sky Stream
• Virgin Media and YouView
• Freeview Play devices

Subscription & Access

No subscription is required to watch STV’s FIFA World Cup 2026 coverage. Viewers can access broadcasts free-to-air or stream online by registering for a free STV Player account, making it one of the primary options for how to watch the FIFA World Cup in Scotland.