The BBC and ITV will broadcast every single group stage game later this year
We now know which channels will show each match from the Qatar World Cup group stage in November and December. Decisions have been made about the three England group games but also about matches involving every other team at the tournament.
In a surprise move, FIFA have announced that the Group A clash between Senegal and Netherlands will open the show on 21 November, meaning that for the first time since 2006, the hosts will not be the first to compete. It is unclear why the authorities have come to this decision. Hosts Qatar will play later that same day, but not before England and Iran contest the first match from Group B.
Qatar will face Ecuador in the third game of the tournament, breaking typical convention. Day One will be finished off with the other game from England's group involving the United States and either Ukraine, Scotland or Wales. The final member of Group B is as yet undecided as Scotland and Ukraine's playoff was postponed until June due to the Russian invasion. The winner of that match will face Wales for the chance to play in Qatar.
The group stage will then continue with four matches per day, starting at 10:00 GMT, 13:00 GMT, 16:00 GMT and 19:00 GMT. On 2 December, Cameroon will face Brazil in the final match of the group stage.
England's game with Iran on the opening day will be the second of the tournament, starting at 13:00 GMT. This match will be shown on the BBC. ITV have the rights to show the Three Lions' second match against the USA on November 25 at 19:00 GMT.
Finally, it's back to the BBC for England's final group game against the unknown opponent on November 29. This match will also be at 19:00 GMT and could feature an all British encounter against Wales or Scotland. In June, we will know who the final member of Group B will be.
That European slot is not the only one up for grabs. There are also two more from around the world. The UAE, Australia and Peru face a play off for one place, and Costa Rica and New Zealand will meet to decide who takes the other. These spots will also be decided in June, completing the lineups for Groups D and E, and finalising the groups for the tournament.
Whoever qualifies for those three final places, it is sure to be a fascinating competition full of elite nations from across the globe and every kick of it will be available in the UK on free-to-air television, via live streaming and on demand, thanks to the BBC and ITV.
Here is the full schedule of group stage matches at the Qatar World Cup, including dates, times and where you can watch them:
21 November | 10:00 | Senegal vs Netherlands — ITV
21 November | 13:00 | England vs Iran — BBC
21 November | 16:00 | Qatar vs Ecuador — BBC
21 November | 19:00 | USA vs Ukraine/Scotland/Wales — ITV
22 November | 10:00 | Argentina vs Saudi Arabia — ITV
22 November | 13:00 | Denmark vs Tunisia — ITV
22 November | 16:00 | Mexico vs Poland — BBC
22 November | 19:00 | France vs UAE/Australia/Peru — BBC
23 November | 10:00 | Morocco vs Croatia — ITV
23 November | 13:00 | Germany vs Japan — ITV
23 November | 16:00 | Spain vs Costa Rica/New Zealand — ITV
23 November | 19:00 | Belgium vs Canada — BBC
24 November | 10:00 | Switzerland vs Cameroon — ITV
24 November | 13:00 | Uruguay vs South Korea — BBC
24 November | 16:00 | Portugal vs Ghana — ITV
24 November | 19:00 | Brazil vs Serbia — BBC
25 November | 10:00 | Ukraine/Scotland/Wales vs Iran — BBC
25 November | 13:00 | Qatar vs Senegal — BBC
25 November | 16:00 | Netherlands vs Ecuador — ITV
25 November | 19:00 | England vs USA — ITV
26 November | 10:00 | Tunisia vs UAE/Australia/Peru — BBC
26 November | 13:00 | Poland vs Saudi Arabia — ITV
26 November | 16:00 | France vs Denmark — ITV
26 November | 19:00 | Argentina vs Mexico — ITV
27 November | 10:00 | Japan vs Costa Rica/New Zealand — ITV
27 November | 13:00 | Belgium vs Morocco — BBC
27 November | 16:00 | Croatia vs Canada — BBC
27 November | 19:00 | Spain vs Germany — BBC
28 November | 10:00 | Cameroon vs Serbia — ITV
28 November | 13:00 | South Korea vs Ghana — BBC
28 November | 16:00 | Brazil vs Switzerland — ITV
28 November | 19:00 | Portugal vs Uruguay — ITV
29 November | 15:00 | Ecuador vs Senegal — ITV
29 November | 15:00 | Netherlands vs Qatar — ITV
29 November | 19:00 | Iran vs USA — BBC
29 November | 19:00 | Ukraine/Scotland/Wales vs England — BBC
30 November | 15:00 | Tunisia vs France — BBC
30 November | 15:00 | UAE/Australia/Peru vs Denmark — BBC
30 November | 19:00 | Poland vs Argentina — BBC
30 November | 19:00 | Saudi Arabia vs Mexico — BBC
1 December | 16:00 | Canada vs Morocco — BBC
1 December | 16:00 | Croatia vs Belgium — BBC
1 December | 19:00 | Japan vs Spain — ITV
1 December | 19:00 | Costa Rica/New Zealand vs Germany — ITV
2 December | 16:00 | Ghana vs Uruguay — BBC
2 December | 16:00 | South Korea vs Portugal — BBC
2 December | 19:00 | Serbia vs Switzerland — ITV
2 December | 19:00 | Cameroon vs Brazil — ITV
*All times are shown in GMT
