Bbc Itv World Cup Schedule: How to Catch Every Match in 2026
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be a historic tournament, with matches spread across North America and a global audience eager to follow the action. In the United Kingdom, the two flagship broadcasters – BBC and ITV – have secured the rights to show live games, highlights and special features. This article explains the BBC ITV World Cup schedule, how to access the coverage, and what extra content you can enjoy while the tournament unfolds.
What the Broadcast Deal Covers
Both BBC and ITV will share the live feed, meaning each network will broadcast a selection of matches, while the other provides a full‑screen simulcast for games not shown on the primary channel. The agreement also includes:
- Live coverage of all England matches on the primary channel of the network that is allocated the England fixture.
- Daily highlights shows on BBC One and ITV 2, with extended analysis on BBC Four and ITV 3.
- Access to on‑demand replays via BBC iPlayer and ITV Hub, available for 30 days after the original broadcast.
- Special documentary series that revisit classic moments, such as the England World Cup 2002 BBC video of Oasis and the 2018 final.
Key Dates and Times
All match times are listed in British Summer Time (BST). Below is a concise rundown of the opening weekend and the dates when England’s games are expected to be shown.
- Opening Ceremony & First Match – 20 June 2026
• BBC One – Kick‑off at 16:00 BST (local time in host cities may vary).
• ITV 2 – Simulcast of the same match, with a second screen commentary for fans who prefer an alternative perspective. - Group Stage – 21 June to 2 July
• Matches featuring England will alternate between BBC One and ITV 1, depending on the day of the week.
• All other group‑stage games will be shown on BBC Four and ITV 2, with a nightly highlights reel on BBC One at 22:00 BST. - Round of 16 – 3 July to 6 July
• Live coverage of England’s knockout match will be on the channel that broadcasted the team’s final group game.
• Non‑English matches will be split evenly: half on BBC One, half on ITV 1. - Quarter‑Finals – 7 July to
