The UK's leading broadcasters, the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) and Independent Television (ITV), have successfully retained the live broadcasting rights for the next two men’s FIFA World Cups. The agreement ensures that football fans across the UK will continue to enjoy free-to-air coverage of this prestigious tournament.
The new deal covers both the 2026 and 2030 editions of the tournament. The upcoming tournaments promise an exciting spectacle for sports enthusiasts, with a significant expansion in teams participating in 2026 and a unique multi-continent hosting arrangement in 2030.
Mattias Grafstrom, FIFA secretary general said:
“The expanded FIFA World Cup is set to be an unforgettable event for football fans everywhere in 2026 and 2030.
“We are delighted to be able to extend our partnership with the BBC and ITV for the next two editions of the tournament, as they will provide strong platforms in the UK to reach the widest audience possible and optimise the viewing experience.”
Expanded format for World Cup 2026
The World Cup 2026 will be co-hosted by three North American countries: US, Canada, and Mexico. This edition is set to feature an expanded roster of teams - from current 32 to a whopping total of 48 - playing over a span of intense action-packed days from June till July.
The 2026 World Cup is set to be a grand spectacle, with a total of 104 matches being played over the course of 39 days. The tournament will kick off on June 11 in Mexico City, promising an exciting start to the event. After more than a month of thrilling football action, the tournament will conclude on July 19 in New Jersey. This expanded format and extended duration are sure to provide football fans with an unforgettable experience.
In contrast, the centenary edition slated for year 2030 will be hosted across three continents – Europe, Africa, and South America – involving six different countries. Primarily co-hosted by Spain, Portugal, and Morocco; Argentina Paraguay & Uruguay are also set to host opening matches marking Uruguay's historic first staging of this global event back in 1930.
Equal sharing between BBC & ITV
Both broadcasters have agreed upon equal sharing rights which includes splitting matches between them along with shared final coverage. This continues their long-standing tradition providing free-to-air coverage across the UK.
BBC will provide live TV coverage and highlights across its channels and iPlayer streaming service. Additionally, live audio commentary will be broadcast on BBC Radio 5 Live and 5 Sports Extra.
ITV, on the other hand, plans to deliver coverage of live fixtures across its linear ITV1 and ITV4 channels as well as its over-the-top (OTT) platform, ITVX. Highlights and exclusive content will also be made available on ITV Sport social accounts.
