How to watch the World Cup 2026 in the UK
- ✓BBC & ITV — free: England, Scotland & selected matches on BBC One / ITV1 / iPlayer / ITVX
- ✓IPTV — all 104 matches: every match on every broadcast channel, any device
World Cup 2026 UK TV Rights — Who Has Them?
BBC and ITV jointly hold the UK broadcast rights for the FIFA World Cup 2026 — meaning every England and Scotland match will be shown live on free-to-air television for every UK viewer. This continues the long-standing arrangement between the two broadcasters for major international football tournaments.
The critical difference from previous tournaments: with 104 matches across 48 teams and 12 groups, BBC and ITV simply cannot show every match live. The broadcasters will prioritise England, Scotland, and the highest-profile ties. Dozens of group stage matches — particularly those involving nations from Africa, Asia, and the Americas — will not be shown on free-to-air UK TV.
For UK viewers who want to watch every single match — including the group stage games not selected by BBC or ITV — IPTV is the only complete solution. A Flickhaven subscription includes every channel broadcasting World Cup coverage worldwide, giving you access to all 104 matches from opening kick-off to the Final.
| Channel | Cost | All 104 Matches | Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| BBC One / BBC iPlayer | Free | Selected | England, Scotland & selected matches |
| ITV1 / ITVX | Free | Selected | England, Scotland & selected matches |
| Flickhaven IPTV | From £9.99/mo | ✓ All | All 104 matches across every broadcast channel |
England at the World Cup 2026 — Group C
England face France and Serbia in the group stage — both live on BBC or ITV. Every England match is free to watch in the UK.
| # | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 🏴England | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2 | 🇫🇷France | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 3 | 🇷🇸Serbia | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 4 | 🌍Playoff Winner | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Confirmed kick-off times in BST — check bbc.co.uk/sport for confirmed schedule. All England matches also available via Flickhaven IPTV.
Scotland at the World Cup 2026
Scotland qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup — their first World Cup since France 1998. Scotland are in Group H alongside Canada (hosts), Norway, and Tunisia. All Scotland matches are broadcast live in the UK on BBC Scotland and ITV — free to watch for every UK viewer.
| # | Team | P | W | D | L | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 🇨🇦Canada (H) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2 | 🏴Scotland | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 3 | 🇳🇴Norway | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 4 | 🇹🇳Tunisia | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
FIFA World Cup 2026 — All Groups
The 48-team tournament features 12 groups of 4. The top 2 from each group, plus the 8 best third-placed teams, advance to the new Round of 32 — a format unique to this edition. Groups below are indicative based on confirmed draw placements.
Group placements indicative based on confirmed draw. Check BBC Sport / FIFA.com for complete confirmed group assignments.
World Cup 2026 Tournament Timeline
Group Stage
12 groups × 4 teams
11–27 Jun
48 matches
Round of 32
Top 2 + 8 best 3rd
28 Jun–1 Jul
16 matches
Round of 16
Last 16
2–5 Jul
8 matches
Quarter-Finals
Last 8
8–9 Jul
4 matches
Semi-Finals
Last 4
14–15 Jul
2 matches
Final
MetLife Stadium, NJ
19 Jul
1 match
Watch All 104 World Cup 2026 Matches via IPTV
BBC and ITV show selected matches — but with 104 games across 48 teams, most group stage clashes involving Africa, South America, Asia, and CONCACAF will not be broadcast free-to-air in the UK. The only way to watch every match is via an IPTV subscription.
Flickhaven IPTV includes BBC One, ITV1, BBC iPlayer channels, plus international broadcasters — including the equivalent of beIN Sports, ViaSat, Canal+, and global networks carrying matches not selected by BBC/ITV. From the opening game to the Final at MetLife Stadium on 19 July, you watch it all in HD or 4K on any device.
- ✓All 104 World Cup 2026 matches — group stage, knockouts, Final
- ✓BBC One & ITV1 channels included — England and Scotland matches covered
- ✓International broadcasters for non-BBC/ITV matches
- ✓4K UHD on supported channels
- ✓Works on Firestick, Samsung TV, LG TV, iPhone, Android, Apple TV, PC
- ✓24/7 WhatsApp support during the tournament
- ✓From £9.99/month — cheaper than any individual sports subscription
Test before the tournament starts — free 24hrs
No credit card · Instant WhatsApp activation · Full access
Watch World Cup 2026 on Every Device UK
World Cup 2026 UK — Frequently Asked Questions
What channel is the World Cup 2026 on in the UK?+
BBC and ITV share the UK broadcast rights. England and Scotland matches are on BBC One, ITV1, BBC iPlayer, and ITVX — all free. For all 104 matches including those not on BBC/ITV, IPTV is the only complete option.
Can I watch the World Cup 2026 for free in the UK?+
Yes — BBC and ITV show England, Scotland and selected matches free on BBC One, ITV1, BBC iPlayer, and ITVX. However, not all 104 matches are free to air. For complete coverage, Flickhaven IPTV covers every match from £9.99/month.
What group is England in at the 2026 World Cup?+
England are in Group C with France, Serbia, and an inter-confederation playoff winner. All England group stage matches are broadcast live on BBC or ITV free of charge.
Is Scotland in the World Cup 2026?+
Yes! Scotland qualified for their first World Cup since 1998. They are in Group H alongside Canada, Norway, and Tunisia. All Scotland matches are on BBC Scotland and ITV free-to-air.
Can I watch all 104 World Cup 2026 matches in the UK?+
Not on BBC/ITV — they show selected matches only. Flickhaven IPTV is the only way to watch all 104 matches live, including every group stage game regardless of whether it's on BBC or ITV.
How do I watch World Cup 2026 without a TV licence?+
ITV shows matches free on ITVX — no TV licence needed. IPTV subscriptions also require no TV licence. Flickhaven gives you access to all 104 matches from £9.99/month with a free 24-hour trial.
When is the World Cup 2026 Final?+
The FIFA World Cup 2026 Final takes place on 19 July 2026 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. It will be broadcast live on BBC and ITV in the UK.
World Cup 2026 UK — Full Guide Network
Starts 11 June 2026
Watch Every World Cup Match — All 104 Live
BBC & ITV cover England and Scotland. IPTV covers the rest. Get the complete World Cup 2026 experience from £9.99/month.
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