BBC and ITV Announce 2026 World Cup Broadcast Split

BBC and ITV have announced their broadcasting split for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, confirming which matches UK viewers can watch on free-to-air television as the expanded 48-team tournament unfolds across the United States, Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19.

The event, the largest in World Cup history, will feature games in 16 host cities, with kickoff times ranging from early morning to late evening in British Summer Time. ITV will open the coverage with the tournament's first match, Mexico versus South Africa in Mexico City on June 11 at 8 p.m. UK time. This fixture echoes the 2010 World Cup opener. The broadcasters will share the final at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on July 19 at 10 p.m. UK time.

For England, managed by Thomas Tuchel, ITV holds the rights to the group's opening game against Croatia in Dallas on June 17 at 9 p.m., as well as the final group fixture against Panama on June 27 at 10 p.m. The BBC will air the middle group match against Ghana on June 23 at 9 p.m. If England advances, the BBC is set to broadcast their potential round-of-32 clash, round-of-16 encounter and semifinal, while ITV would cover a quarterfinal appearance....