The 2026 World Cup is the biggest in history, with 48 teams competing across the United States, Canada and Mexico. For UK fans, it means wall-to-wall coverage on the BBC and ITV, including 54 live matches on the BBC alone, and every game available on the BBC Sport website and app. The tournament kicked off in June 2026 and concludes with the final on 19 July. Here is everything you need to know about the expanded World Cup and how to follow it from the UK.
For the first time, the World Cup features 48 teams instead of 32, a change approved by FIFA to broaden global representation. The tournament is co-hosted by three nations: the United States, Canada and Mexico, spreading matches across venues from Los Angeles to Monterrey. The group stage consists of 16 groups of three teams, with the top two from each group advancing to a 32-team knockout phase. This expansion means more games overall, including a round of 32, round of 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals and the final.
“Guide to the 2026 World Cup: expanded format, UK TV coverage, key dates.”
The expanded format was designed to give more countries a chance to participate on football's biggest stage. Critics argue it dilutes quality and adds fixture congestion, but supporters point to the increased excitement and global interest. The 2026 edition also marks the first time Canada has co-hosted, and the first World Cup in North America since 1994.
For UK readers, the tournament is a summer television event. The BBC and ITV share live broadcast rights, as they have for previous World Cups and European Championships. The BBC will show 54 matches live across BBC One, BBC Two and iPlayer, including the final. BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds will provide commentary for 92 matches. ITV will also broadcast a selection of games. Every single match will be available to stream on the BBC Sport website and app, which offers live text updates, video clips and analysis. The BBC's coverage includes punditry from former players and expert analysis, while ITV's lineup features similar insight. For those on the move, BBC Sounds offers radio commentary, and the BBC Sport app provides push notifications for goals and key moments.
Q: How can I watch the World Cup for free in the UK? You can watch all 54 matches broadcast by the BBC for free on BBC One, BBC Two or the iPlayer. ITV also shows selected matches free-to-air. No subscription is needed, just a TV licence. Plus, every game has live text coverage on the BBC Sport website.
Q: Why does the 2026 World Cup have 48 teams? FIFA expanded the tournament from 32 to 48 teams to include more nations from Africa, Asia and the Americas. The new format divides teams into 16 groups of three, with the top two from each group advancing to a 32-team knockout stage. This increases the total number of matches and gives smaller footballing nations a chance to compete on the global stage.
Q: What are the key dates for the 2026 World Cup? The tournament runs from June to 19 July 2026. The group stage takes place in June, followed by the knockout rounds in July. The final is on 19 July, shown live on the BBC. Specific match dates and kick-off times are available on the BBC Sport website.
What happens next: The knockout stage will determine the champions, with the final on 19 July. UK broadcasters will continue to provide live coverage and analysis. For the latest updates, visit the BBC Sport website or app.