World Cup 2026: BBC to show 54 live matches as tournament kicks off

The 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico is almost here — and it is the biggest in history, with 48 teams competing across the three host nations. For UK fans, the BBC and ITV will bring wall-to-wall coverage: the BBC alone will show 54 matches live, including the final on 19 July, with 92 games available on BBC Sounds and every single match covered on the BBC Sport website and app. The Guardian has launched a bracketology interactive, allowing fans to click their way through the group stage and the knockouts to crown a champion. Meanwhile, action in Group G continues in Los Angeles, where Iran face New Zealand — a game that, like all 104 matches, can be followed on the BBC's digital platforms. As the tournament unfolds, supporters can plan their viewing around the BBC's extensive live schedule and the interactive predictions tool, ensuring no moment of the expanded World Cup is missed.