The 2026 World Cup: A Grand Return to North America
It’s been a good 3.5 years since the last World Cup, but football’s biggest tournament returns, spanning three countries as the action unfolds across North America, from Mexico to the United States and Canada.
The tournament kicks off in the vibrant heart of Mexico City on June 11, marking the beginning of an extraordinary journey over five weeks (37 days to be exact). This will be the largest World Cup ever, featuring 48 teams battling it out in 104 thrilling matches.
Unlike the exclusive nature of events such as the Champions League final, the World Cup will be accessible to a global audience through free-to-air broadcasts. For fans in the UK, this means two exciting ways to catch every moment of the action.
In an upgrade from Euro 2024, the 2026 World Cup will be available in stunning 4K HLG HDR on iPlayer, enhancing the viewing experience with vibrant colors and sharp detail.
How to Watch All 2026 World Cup Matches Live for Free
The broadcasting rights for the 2026 World Cup are shared between the BBC and ITV. This means the matches will be available on both traditional linear television (via aerial broadcast) and modern OTT streaming platforms such as iPlayer and ITVX.
However, viewers should be mindful of the diverse time zones across North America. Depending on the teams you are supporting, you might find yourself staying up late or waking up early to catch your national team in action.
Below are the schedules for the first week of the tournament and the channels or streaming services on which you can catch them:
June 11
- Mexico – South Africa, 8 p.m. ITV/ITVX
June 12
- South Korea – Czechia, 3 a.m. ITV/ITVX
- Canada vs. Bosnia-Herzegovina, 8 p.m. BBC/iPlayer
June 13
- Qatar vs Switzerland, 8 p.m. ITV/ITVX
- Brazil – Morocco, 11:00 p.m. BBC/iPlayer
- USA to Paraguay, 2 a.m. BBC/iPlayer
June 14
- Haiti vs Scotland, 2 a.m. BBC/iPlayer
- Australia v Türkiye, 5:00 a.m. ITV/ITVX
- Germany v Curaçao, 6 p.m. ITV/ITVX
- Netherlands vs Japan, 9 p.m. ITV/ITVX
June 15
- Ivory Coast – Ecuador, 12:00 p.m. BBC/iPlayer
- Sweden – Tunisia, 3 a.m. ITV/ITVX
- Spain – Cape Verde, 5 p.m. ITV/ITVX
- Belgium – Egypt, 8 p.m. BBC/iPlayer
- Saudi Arabia – Uruguay, 11 p.m. ITV/ITVX
June 16
- Iran – New Zealand, 2 a.m. BBC/iPlayer
- France – Senegal, 8 p.m. BBC/iPlayer
- Iraq vs. Norway, 11 p.m. BBC/iPlayer
June 17
- Argentina – Algeria, 2 a.m. ITV/ITVX
- Austria – Jordan, 5:00 a.m. BBC/iPlayer
- Portugal x DR Congo, 6 p.m. BBC/iPlayer
- England v Croatia, 9 p.m. ITV/ITVX
How to Watch the 2026 World Cup – What Do I Need?
To enjoy the 2026 World Cup in all its 4K glory, you’ll need a 4K HDR HLG compatible device or display. Most 4K TVs sold today support HDR, including HDR10 and HLG formats.
The BBC’s iPlayer app supports HDR HLG, providing a premium viewing experience, though ITVX does not. To watch the matches in 4K HDR, ensure your display or streaming device supports HLG streaming on iPlayer.
For more information on 4K viewing, the BBC offers a helpful guide. Rest assured that most modern TVs and streaming devices are equipped to deliver HDR, allowing fans to immerse themselves fully in the World Cup spectacle.
For further details, visit the original article here.
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