The upcoming World Cup is officially making history as the biggest edition ever!
With 48 teams for the first time (up from 32), never before will so many nations be involved in this global tussle for bragging rights, dodgy face paint and out-of-key choral singing...
Unlike in 1998, figuring out how to watch the World Cup isn't quite as easy. TV has changed, and streaming has made watching the beautiful game more flexible than ever. But with so many ways to watch, you could be forgiven for wondering where to go when the tournament kicks off on the 11th June.
The good news? Every match will be available free-to-air in the UK, so you can follow everyyy moment of the action with Freely.
Where can I watch the 2026 World Cup?
You can rest assured that every World Cup match will be shown live on BBC and ITV (STV in Scotland), alongside highlights, analysis and all the biggest talking points from the tournament.
Matches will be split across the broadcasters, so you'll find games on both BBC and ITV throughout the competition. And if you miss one, you'll be able to catch up later on BBC iPlayer, ITVX or STV Player (Scotland).
Is the World Cup free to watch?
Yes, because the tournament is broadcasting live across the UK’s free-to-air networks, the World Cup matches – whether hosted in the USA, Canada, or Mexico – will not be behind any paywalls. That means you can watch all the games on Freely!
Just remember that you'll still need a valid TV licence to watch live TV coverage of the World Cup, including matches shown on BBC, ITV and STV. You'll also need a TV Licence to stream coverage live on BBC iPlayer or watch programmes on BBC iPlayer after they've been broadcast!
When does the World Cup take place?
The 2026 World Cup gets underway on the 11th June, when co-hosts Mexico kick off the tournament.
From the 12th June, we'll be treated to a packed schedule of football, with between two and four matches taking place each day throughout the group stage.
The knockout rounds begin on 28th June, before the quarter-finals get underway from the 9th July and the semi-finals follow from the 14th July. The tournament then reaches its climax with the final on the 19th July.
With 104 matches packed into just 39 days, there's plentyyy to keep track of. Take a look at our World Cup schedule to stay up to date with all the key fixtures throughout the tournament.
What time will matches take place?
With the 2026 World Cup spanning Canada, the United States, and Mexico, kick-off times will vary across the tournament.
Because the time zones change so significantly, a few matches might land in the small hours of the morning, but there’s no need to panic: most fixtures are perfectlyyy timed for viewing with your family and friends in the evening!
To keep track of it all, head over to the Freely TV guide for a full schedule of the biggest matches.
Stream the World Cup 2026 with Freely
You don't need a complicated setup to enjoy world-class sport. At Freely, we’ve brought the best of live UK TV straight to your screen using juuust your internet connection with no dish or aerial required.
Using our range of Freely-ready TVs and devices, you can count on a brilliant experience for every single match. So, when that inevitable, nail-biting penalty shootout arrives, you won't miss a single second.
Check out our Freely-ready TVs and devices here.
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