With the 2026 World Cup kicking off on Thursday 11 June, you might be wondering where to watch the action. Well, we've got you covered. Read on for a full breakdown.
Held in the United States, Canada and Mexico, the biggest World Cup in history sees 48 teams take part across 104 matches, with coverage being shared on the BBC and ITV.
Two teams from the United Kingdom, England and Scotland, will compete in this year's World Cup after qualifying for the tournament. However, Wales and Northern Ireland did not secure a place in the competition.
England's first match against Croatia is on 17 June, while Scotland's opening match is scheduled for 14 June, when the team faces Haiti.
When are the three opening ceremonies for the World Cup 2026?
As the biggest World Cup in history, this edition will feature three different opening ceremonies, one held in each hosting country. This means that Mexico, Canada and the United States will all have their very own ceremony ahead of each tournament opener, in a celebration that spans across two days.
All ceremonies will begin 90 minutes before kick-off, though the broadcast of each in the UK is at the discretion of the broadcaster.
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Mexico City starts the party at the Estadio Azteca on 11 June ahead of Mexico playing South Africa. The first ceremony starts at 6.30pm BST.
Shakira and Burna Boy are headlining the show, performing the official tournament song, 'Dai Dai'. Additional performers include Alejandro Fernández, Belinda, Danny Ocean, J Balvin, Lila Downs, Los Ángeles Azules, Maná, and Tyla.
Mexico vs South Africa is being shown on ITV1 and ITVX, with the ceremony being broadcast from 6.15pm.
Then, Toronto takes over on 12 June at BMO Field, where Canada host Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Michael Bublé, Alessia Cara and Alanis Morissette are headlining alongside Palestinian-Chilean singer Elyanna and French artist Vegedream, known for 'Ramenez la coupe à la maison', which celebrated France's World Cup win in 2018.
Jessie Reyez, Nora Fatehi, Sanjoy and William Prince are also expected to perform.
The ceremony is broadcast on BBC One and BBC iPlayer from 7pm, with kick-off expected at 8pm.
Finally, the opening festivities conclude in Los Angeles at SoFi Stadium, where the US host Paraguay in the early hours of 13 June for football fans this side of the pond.
Katy Perry headlines, joined by rapper Future, Anitta, Lisa, Rema and Tyla. Additional talent includes Dan + Shay to sing the US national anthem, alongside Purahéi Soul, singing the Paraguay national anthem.
Ted Lasso star Jason Sudeikis, a FIFA World Cup 2026 Ambassador, will welcome the fans in LA.
The third opening ceremony will begin at 12.30am BST, with BBC One and iPlayer broadcasting the show from 1.30am before kick-off at 2am.
When does the World Cup start?
As we've already mentioned, the 2026 World Cup kicks off on Thursday 11 June. Mexico will open proceedings with their match against South Africa, which will be shown at 8pm on ITV and is also broadcast on BBC Radio 5 Live.
How to watch the World Cup in the UK
Viewers in the UK with a TV license can catch the action across the BBC and ITV. The BBC will broadcast 54 matches live on TV, with all 104 matches broadcast on 5 Live. On ITV, 51 matches will be broadcast across the schedule.
What time are the World Cup games in the UK?
Thursday, 11 June - Mexico vs South Africa - 8pm - ITV 1
Friday, 12 June - South Korea vs Czech Republic - 3am - ITV1
Friday, 12 June - Canada vs Bosnia & Herzegovina - 8pm - BBC One
Saturday, 13 June - USA vs Paraguay - 2am - BBC One
Saturday, 13 June - Qatar vs Switzerland - 8pm - ITV1
Saturday, 13 June - Brazil vs Morocco - 11pm - BBC One
Sunday, 14 June - Haiti vs Scotland - 2am - BBC One
Sunday, 14 June - Australia vs Turkey - 5am - ITV1
Sunday, 14 June - Germany vs Curacao - 6pm - ITV1
Sunday, 14 June - Netherlands vs Japan - 9pm - ITV1
Monday, 15 June - Ivory Coast vs Ecuador - 12am - BBC One
Monday, 15 June - Sweden vs Tunisia - 3am - ITV1
Monday, 15 June - Spain vs Cape Verde - 5pm - ITV1
Monday, 15 June - Belgium vs Egypt - 8pm - BBC One
Monday, 15 June - Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay - 11pm - ITV1
Tuesday, 16 June - Iran vs New Zealand - 2am - BBC One
Tuesday, 16 June - France vs Senegal - 8pm - BBC One
Tuesday, 16 June - Iraq vs Norway - 11pm - BBC One
Wednesday, 17 June - Argentina vs Algeria - 2am - ITV1
Wednesday, 17 June - Austria vs Jordan - 5am - BBC One
Wednesday, 17 June - Portugal vs DR Congo - 6pm - BBC One
Wednesday, 17 June - England vs Croatia - 9pm - ITV1
Thursday, 18 June - Ghana vs Panama - 12am - ITV1
Thursday, 18 June - Uzbekistan vs Colombia - 3am - BBC One
Thursday, 18 June - Czech Republic vs South Africa - 5pm- BBC One
Thursday, 18 June - Switzerland vs Bosnia & Herzegovina - 8pm - ITV1
Thursday, 18 June - Canada vs Qatar - 11pm - ITV1
Friday, 19 June - Mexico vs South Korea - 2am - BBC One
Friday, 19 June - USA vs Australia - 8pm - BBC One
Friday, 19 June - Scotland vs Morocco - 11pm - ITV1
Saturday, 20 June - Brazil vs Haiti - 2am - ITV1
Saturday, 20 June - Turkey vs Paraguay - 5am - ITV1
Saturday, 20 June - Netherlands vs Sweden - 6pm - BBC One
Saturday, 20 June - Germany vs Ivory Coast - 9pm - ITV1
Sunday, 21 June - Ecuador vs Curacao - 1am - BBC One
Sunday, 21 June - Tunisia vs Japan - 5am - BBC One
Sunday, 21 June - Spain vs Saudi Arabia - 5pm - BBC One
Sunday, 21 June - Belgium vs Iran - 8pm - ITV1
Sunday, 21 June - Uruguay vs Cape Verde - 11pm - BBC One
Monday, 22 June - New Zealand vs Egypt - 2am - ITV1
Monday, 22 June - Argentina vs Austria - 6pm - BBC One
Monday, 22 June - France vs Iraq - 10pm - BBC One
Tuesday, 23 June - Norway vs Senegal - 1am - ITV1
Tuesday, 23 June - Jordan vs Algeria - 4am - ITV1
Tuesday, 23 June - Portugal vs Uzbekistan - 6pm - ITV1
Tuesday, 23 June - England vs Ghana - 9pm - BBC One
Wednesday, 24 June - Panama vs Croatia - 12am - BBC One
Wednesday, 24 June - Colombia vs DR Congo - 3am - ITV1
Wednesday, 24 June - Bosnia & Herzegovina vs Qatar - 8pm - ITV4
Wednesday, 24 June - Switzerland vs Canada - 8pm - ITV1
Wednesday, 24 June - Morocco vs Haiti - 11pm - BBC Two
Wednesday, 24 June - Scotland vs Brazil - 11pm - BBC One
Thursday, 25 June - Czech Republic vs Mexico - 2am - BBC One
Thursday, 25 June - South Africa vs South Korea - 2am - BBC Two
Thursday, 25 June - Curacao vs Ivory Coast - 9pm - BBC Two
Thursday, 25 June - Ecuador vs Germany - 9pm - BBC One
Friday, 26 June - Japan vs Sweden - 12am - BBC Two
Friday, 26 June - Tunisia vs Netherlands - 12am - BBC One
Friday, 26 June - Paraguay vs Australia - 3am - ITV4
Friday, 26 June - Turkey vs USA - 3am - ITV1
Friday, 26 June - Norway vs France - 8pm - ITV1
Friday, 26 June - Senegal vs Iraq - 8pm - ITV4
Saturday, 27 June - Cape Verde vs Saudi Arabia - 1am - ITV4
Saturday, 27 June - Uruguay vs Spain - 1am - ITV1
Saturday, 27 June - Egypt vs Iran - 4am - BBC Two
Saturday, 27 June - New Zealand vs Belgium - 4am - BBC One
Saturday, 27 June - Croatia vs Ghana - 10pm - ITV4
Saturday, 27 June - Panama vs England - 10pm - ITV1
Sunday, 28 June - Colombia vs Portugal - 12.30am - BBC One
Sunday, 28 June - DR Congo vs Uzbekistan - 12.30am - BBC Two
Sunday, 28 June - Algeria vs Austria - 3am - BBC Two
Sunday, 28 June - Jordan vs Argentina - 3am - BBC One
Details of the remaining matches are pending confirmation. Knockout-stage fixtures will be decided following the conclusion of the group stage, with additional scheduling details to follow.
When does the World Cup end: When is the World Cup final?
The World Cup final will be held at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on 19 July, featuring the winners of matches 101 and 102. Kick-off is at 8pm and the final will be broadcast live on the BBC and ITV.
The 2026 World Cup airs on the BBC and ITV between 11 June and 19 July.
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Harriet is a freelance news writer specialising in TV and movies at Digital Spy.
A horror enthusiast, she joined Digital Spy after working on her own horror website, reviewing films and focusing largely on feminism in the genre.
In her spare time, Harriet paints and produces mixed-media art. She graduated from the University of Kingston with a BA in fine art, where she specialised in painting. She also has an MA in journalism from Birkbeck University.
Reporter, Digital Spy
Stefania is a freelance writer specialising in TV and movies. After graduating from City University, London, she covered LGBTQ+ news and pursued a career in entertainment journalism, with her work appearing in outlets including Little White Lies, The Skinny, Radio Times and Digital Spy.
Her beats are horror films and period dramas, especially if fronted by queer women. She can argue why Scream is the best slasher in four languages (and a half).
