The 2026 World Cup is here. For the first time, 48 teams will compete across three host nations — the United States, Canada and Mexico — making it the biggest tournament in the competition's history. For UK viewers, the action is being shown live and free on the BBC and ITV, with all 104 matches available across the two broadcasters. Whether you're a casual fan or a devoted follower, here's everything you need to know.
The 2026 World Cup marks a major expansion from the previous 32-team format, which had been used since 1998. The tournament will be staged across 16 venues in North America, with the final scheduled to take place in the United States. This is the first time the World Cup has been held in three countries simultaneously, and only the second time it has been hosted in North America (after the 1994 edition in the US).
“A guide to the 2026 World Cup: format, hosts, UK TV coverage and England fixtures.”
For UK viewers, the World Cup is broadcast free-to-air on BBC and ITV. BBC Sport is providing TV and radio coverage of all group games, with specific match allocations announced closer to kick-off. ITV is also showing a selection of matches, including England's group stage fixtures. Fans can stream games via BBC iPlayer and ITVX on mobile, tablet or smart TV. For the pre-tournament friendlies, such as Morocco vs Norway on 7 June, ITV4 provided coverage starting at 7:50pm UK time for an 8pm kick-off.
England, managed by Thomas Tuchel, have a tricky group stage to navigate. Their fixtures are among the most anticipated for UK fans, with kick-off times and venues confirmed by the Football Association. The Three Lions will be looking to improve on their performance in Qatar 2022, where they reached the quarter-finals before losing to France. With a squad featuring stars like Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham, expectations are high.
Q: When does the 2026 World Cup start? The tournament kicks off on 11 June 2026, with the group stage running through June and the final on 19 July 2026. Exact match dates and times are available on the BBC and ITV websites.
Q: How many teams are in the 2026 World Cup? A record 48 teams are taking part, up from 32 in 2022. The new format means 16 groups of three teams, with the top two from each group advancing to a 32-team knockout stage.
Q: How can I watch the World Cup for free in the UK? All matches are being shown live on either BBC or ITV. You can watch on TV via BBC One, BBC Two, ITV1 or ITV4, or stream online through BBC iPlayer and ITVX. Both services are free with a TV licence.
The tournament is just days away, with pre-tournament friendlies already underway. BBC and ITV will confirm their full match schedules shortly before each round. England's opening group game will be a key moment for UK fans, and all eyes will be on Thomas Tuchel's side to see how they cope with the expanded competition.