BBC, ITV Secure UK Rights for 2026 World Cup
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- 2026 World Cup will be co‑hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, featuring a record 48 teams.
- BBC has secured UK broadcast rights alongside ITV, splitting the tournament’s matches between the two free‑to‑air channels and providing radio commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live.
- ITV will air the opening match between Mexico and South Africa on 11 June at 20:00, with radio coverage on 5 Live.
- BBC will broadcast the Canada vs Bosnia‑Herzegovina group‑stage match on 12 June at 20:00, with radio on 5 Live.
- BBC will show the USA vs Paraguay game on 13 June at 02:00, with radio on 5 Live.
- ITV will cover the England vs Croatia clash on 17 June at 21:00, with radio on 5 Live.
- BBC will air a mix of matches across the tournament’s first two weeks, sharing duties with ITV to cover teams from every continent.
Why it matters: UK football fans gain free‑to‑air access to the record‑size 48‑team 2026 World Cup, with every match split between BBC and ITV and radio commentary on 5 Live, while the broadcasters secure high‑profile sports slots that can draw large audiences and advertising revenue.
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