There’s nothing better than getting your friends and family together for a big match, and with England’s first FIFA World Cup 2026 game juuust around the corner, We're already planning a few cosy watch parties at home - because we’re all going to be saying it again, aren’t we... football might just be coming home!
To get us into the spirit of the World Cup, we asked TV Presenter and friend of Freely Scarlett Moffatt to give us her take on how to throw the ultimate watch party.
If I’m honest, with so many of the games being later for us in the UK, I’ll definitely be watching most of it from the sofa this year. Which to be fair, is my ideal anyway.
I’m definitely not an expert host, but these are the things I’ll be doing when people come round for the football.
It all revolves around the TV
I feel like this is the one thing you can’t really compromise on. The TV needs to be the star of the show.
If you’ve got a group round, there’s nothing worse than someone being stuck in the corner going, “wait, was that offside?” because they can’t see properly.
We’ve got quite a big TV at home now (the Hisense U7Q PRO 55"), and it just makes everything feel a bit more like an occasion - especially for those big, shouty moments where everyone’s reacting at once.
Our TV also has Freely built in, which I love because it just makes it easy to flick between the live games on BBC and ITV and on-demand content, and all your other favourite shows, without thinking about it (especially useful when you’re a bit tired and not fully paying attention!). Plus you don’t need to have an aerial installed, as you can stream everything on WiFi.
Pro tip: I always say I’ll set everything up early… and then end up doing it five minutes before kick-off, so if you can be organised, do! You don’t want to still be fiddling with the settings when the national anthem starts.
Sound actually makes a huge difference
I never used to think much about this, but it really does change the atmosphere.
When you can properly hear the crowd and the commentary, it just feels more exciting – even if you’re sat in your living room in your comfies. And let's be honest, the commentary is essential for those of us who don't always know exactly what's going on!
We’ve got a simple Hisense Wireless Sound Bar at home and it's made a noticeable difference to how we enjoy films and live sport.
Pro tip: If you’re hosting a bigger group, do a quick check that everyone can hear the commentary clearly from wherever they’re sitting.
Keep the food simple and shareable
I am not the kind of person who’s cooking something fancy while trying to watch a match, but no watch party is complete without food!
It’s always picky bits, pizzas, things you can just chuck on the table and forget about. Otherwise you end up missing the best bits while you’re in the kitchen.
Especially with the later kick-offs, I try to get everything sorted in advance so I can actually sit down and enjoy it (and not be half-asleep halfway through).
And you obviously need something sweet for half-time… that’s non-negotiable.
Get everyone into the spirit with decorations!
I’m not saying go full-on party planner, but a few little touches make it feel more fun.
Flags, a bit of bunting, people in football shirts. It just changes the mood straight away.
And if people support different teams, even better. It always gets a bit competitive (in a friendly way… mostly!).
Plan ahead for the late kick-offs
This is the big one for me this year. With so many of the matches kicking off late at night, I know I’ll be much happier just staying in and making a proper night of it at home (blanket, snacks and feet up doesn’t sound too bad), but I also know my routine is going to take a hit. Still, I’m still not going to miss any of the England games.
Our evenings are usually pretty structured, especially with Jude, so I’ve already started thinking about how to shift things around on match nights. It’s less “normal bedtime routine” and more “World Cup mode” for a few weeks. Which also means trying very hard to celebrate goals quietly… ish, when little ones are finally asleep.
As a mam with another baby on the way, I can’t function on no sleep like I used to, but that’s exactly why planning ahead matters. If I know what’s for dinner, the house is sorted earlier, and little one is settled (easier said than done!), it makes staying up late for the game feel doable rather than chaotic.
And let’s be honest - I’ll feel it the next day, but so will half the country. I’ll probably be running on whatever rest I can get when Jude naps.
It’s that mix of tired-but-committed that makes the World Cup feel like an event we all end up reshaping our routines around. rearrange life around.
Enjoy the game!
Honestly, the best nights are never the ones where everything’s “perfect”.
It’s when everyone’s shouting at the TV, arguing over decisions and getting way too into it.
Whether it’s a full house or just a couple of you on the sofa, or wrapped up in bed, that’s what makes it.
So don’t stress, just enjoy it.
You can stream the FIFA World Cup 2026 and all your favourite TV on Freely - bringing all your favourite channels together in one place, for free.
