World Cup 2026: free-to-air coverage confirmed as BBC and ITV share all 1,248 players

With the World Cup 2026 kick-off at the Azteca rapidly approaching, fans will be able to watch every match for free. The tournament will be broadcast live on BBC and ITV, ensuring widespread access across the UK. To complement the action, The Guardian has published an exhaustive interactive guide to all 1,248 players in the tournament. The guide, accessible online, allows users to click on player pictures for detailed information about each squad member. As the countdown to the opening match intensifies, supporters can now immerse themselves in the profiles of every player set to take the field.