FIFA World Cup 2026 TV Guide: Complete UK Broadcasting Schedule
All 104 FIFA World Cup 2026 matches will be broadcast live on BBC and ITV. The tournament runs from June 11 to July 19 across the USA, Canada and Mexico.
Which UK Channels Are Broadcasting FIFA World Cup 2026?
BBC and ITV share exclusive UK broadcasting rights for World Cup 2026. Both channels are free-to-air, meaning every pub and home in the UK can watch all matches without subscription costs.
FIFA World Cup on TV
Sat, 6th Jun.
00:00
TBC
TBC
1
Channel
BBC or ITV TBC
Thu, 11th Jun.
19:00
Mexico
South Africa
1
Channel
Fri, 12th Jun.
02:00
TBC
1
Channel
Fri, 12th Jun.
19:00
TBC
1
Channel
Sat, 13th Jun.
01:00
USA
Paraguay
1
Channel
Sat, 13th Jun.
19:00
Qatar
Switzerland
1
Channel
Sat, 13th Jun.
22:00
1
Channel
Sun, 14th Jun.
01:00
Haiti
1
Channel
Sun, 14th Jun.
04:00
Australia
TBC
1
Channel
Sun, 14th Jun.
17:00
Curacao
1
Channel
How to Find Pubs Showing FIFA World Cup 2026 Matches
With FANZO, locate pubs showing every World Cup 2026 match in real-time. Enter your location or enable GPS, select the match you want to watch, and discover all pubs broadcasting it live. Filter by channel (BBC or ITV), screen size, and atmosphere to find your perfect match-day venue.
Complete FIFA World Cup 2026 Broadcasting Schedule for UK Viewers
The FIFA World Cup 2026 kicks off on June 11 with the opening match at 7pm UK time. The tournament features 48 teams competing in 104 matches across 16 host cities in North America.
UK Broadcasting Split:
| Phase | Total Matches | BBC Coverage | ITV Coverage | Peak Viewing Times |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Group Stage | 80 matches | 40 matches | 40 matches | 4pm, 7pm, 10pm, 1am UK |
| Round of 32 | 16 matches | 8 matches | 8 matches | 7pm, 10pm UK |
| Round of 16 | 8 matches | 4 matches | 4 matches | 7pm, 10pm UK |
| Quarter-Finals | 4 matches | 2 matches | 2 matches | 7pm, 10pm UK |
| Semi-Finals | 2 matches | 1 match | 1 match | 10pm UK |
| Final | 1 match | Shared coverage | Shared coverage | 10pm UK (July 19) |
What to Expect:
- All England matches shown on BBC and ITV simultaneously
- Late kick-offs due to North American time zones (up to 1am UK time)
- Pubs across the UK extending opening hours for late matches
- 100% of UK sports pubs equipped to show both BBC and ITV
The group stage runs June 11-27, with multiple matches daily during the first two weeks.
FAQ: Watching FIFA World Cup 2026 on UK Television
Will all FIFA World Cup 2026 matches be free to watch in the UK? Yes, all 104 World Cup 2026 matches will be broadcast free-to-air on BBC and ITV. No subscription or pay-per-view charges apply.
What time will World Cup 2026 matches kick off in UK time? Due to North American time zones, matches kick off between 4pm and 1am UK time. Group stage matches typically start at 7pm, 10pm and 1am UK time.
Which channel shows England matches at World Cup 2026? England matches will be shown simultaneously on both BBC and ITV, allowing viewers to choose their preferred coverage and commentary team.
Can I watch World Cup 2026 matches online in the UK? Yes, BBC iPlayer and ITVX will stream all matches live. Most UK pubs also have access to both platforms for public viewing.
Do pubs need a TV licence to show World Cup 2026? Yes, commercial premises require a TV licence to show live BBC and ITV broadcasts publicly.