Revealed: Which World Cup video games the BBC and ITV will present subsequent summer season as broadcasters CONFIRM match cut up

The BBC and ITV have unveiled their live match split for the 2026 World Cup.

ITV Sport will broadcast England‘s first and final group games against Croatia and Panama while BBC Sport will air the middle fixture against Ghana.

The BBC take the majority of prospective knockout games, gaining rights to England’s hypothetical last-32, last-16, and semi-final encounters. 

ITV get the first two picks on the quarter-finals and it is hard to see them not selecting England if Thomas Tuchel‘s men make it that far.

BBC Sport will also take Scotland’s first and last group game against Haiti and Brazil while ITV have bagged the middle one against Morocco. 

Both broadcasters will show the final at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford on July 19. 

ITV will get the tournament going as they have the rights to the opening game bewteen Mexico and South Africa in Mexico City on June 11  – a repeat of the first game from the 2010 World Cup. 

The BBC and ITV have unveiled their live match split for the 2026 World Cup 

They will also broadcast the second Group A game on the same day between South Korea and one of the UEFA qualifiers. 

Daily Mail Sport revealed last week how BBC Sport will not send television pundits to North America for the World Cup until the quarter-final stage. That means that up to three England games will be discussed by remote pundits at the organisation’s Salford base. ITV, meanwhile, intend to have their own studio at the tournament. 

BBC commentators will, however, be in the United States for England games and other high-profile fixtures.

Alex Kay-Jelski, Director of BBC Sport, said: ‘We can’t wait to bring you the FIFA Men’s World Cup 2026. 

‘From (hopefully) England knockout games live on BBC1 and iPlayer to Scotland’s crunch matches with Haiti and Brazil to glamour games featuring [Lionel] Messi, [Kylian] Mbappe, [Cristiano] Ronaldo, [Lamine] Yamal, [Mohamed] Salah, [Erling] Haaland and more, we will bring you the drama and analysis of the moments that matter. 

‘And for the ones you can’t stay up for, don’t worry, we will have you covered the next morning too.’

Niall Sloane, ITV Director of Sport, appeared to take a small dig at the fact that the BBC’s pundits will be remote for most of the competition.

The BBC are not planning to send their team of pundits, including Wayne Rooney, to the World Cup until at least the quarter-finals

The BBC’s handout picture of pundits and presenters for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. In 2026 they will largely be staying at home

‘ITV’s coverage will be live from the United States for the duration of the tournament, as we provide expert analysis covering every key moment across the competition, ‘ he said. 

‘Fans can exclusively enjoy two of England’s group stage matches on ITV, including their first match against Croatia, plus Scotland’s group match against Morocco. 

‘We are proud to broadcast the FIFA World Cup here at ITV and ensure it stays free-to-air for the UK audience to enjoy all summer.’

The BBC will also broadcast two group games for each of Argentina, France, Brazil, Portugal and the Netherlands, as well as one for Spain, Germany and Belgium.

If Wales or Northern Ireland quality, the BBC will show their opening game, while they will show two of the Republic of Ireland’s showdowns if they make it.