The 2026 FIFA World Cup is expected to be the largest in the tournament’s history, with Mexico, Canada and the United States co-hosting a 48-team competition that will feature 104 matches across the three countries. The expanded format and continent-wide schedule are set to make the event one of the most ambitious sporting spectacles ever staged, with opening ceremonies and matches spread across a wide North American footprint.
In the United Kingdom, the tournament will be split between BBC and ITV. BBC is set to show 54 matches across BBC One and BBC Two, while ITV will broadcast the remaining 50 games on ITV1 and ITV4. Viewers will also be able to stream matches free through BBC iPlayer and ITVX. These services require a free account, and live viewing in the UK generally requires a valid TV licence. Catch-up viewing on ITV does not require a licence. Access to both platforms is restricted to UK audiences.
For people outside the UK who still want to watch their home coverage, a VPN can be used to connect through a UK server and access BBC iPlayer or ITVX from abroad, subject to the terms of those services. The process typically involves choosing a VPN, installing it, selecting a UK server and then opening the streaming platform as if the viewer were located in Britain.
In the United States, Fox and FS1 will carry the World Cup. Fans with cable subscriptions that include those channels will be able to watch in the usual way, and Fox content will also be available through the network’s website. Cord-cutters can access the tournament via live TV streaming services such as YouTube TV, Fubo and Sling, provided those services include Fox and FS1 in their packages.
Australian viewers will be able to watch every match on SBS, with free streaming available through SBS On Demand. Registration requires an email address and password, and the service is available only to viewers in Australia.
In Canada, coverage will be split between CTV, TSN and their streaming services. Selected matches will be available free on CTV and through the CTV app, while the full tournament will be shown on TSN and TSN+. Crave will also carry a selection of games as part of its entertainment offering.
On the field, Argentina will enter as defending champions, with Lionel Messi expected to play his final World Cup. Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo is also set for a record sixth appearance, and both players could add another major milestone to their careers. France and Spain are widely viewed as leading contenders, while England, under new manager Thomas Tuchel, will be trying to end a decades-long wait for major international glory. The host nations will also draw attention, with the United States hoping to improve on its 2002 quarter-final run, Canada seeking a better showing than in Qatar, and Mexico aiming to capitalize on home support.
With its expanded field, global broadcast options and several major stars likely taking part for the final time, the 2026 FIFA World Cup is shaping up as a landmark edition of the sport’s biggest tournament.
