World Cup 2026 TV schedule: How to watch every knockout game live in the UK

ALN NEWS DESK
ALN NEWS DESK
Updated : Jul 12, 2026, 05:35 AM IST
7 min read
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Catch all the knockout matches of the World Cup 2026 live on BBC and ITV, with free-to-air coverage for UK viewers.

The World Cup 2026 is nearing a conclusion as the knockout rounds heat up ahead of next weekend’s final. This prestigious tournament, hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, marks a significant milestone as it is the first World Cup to feature an expanded format with 48 teams, up from the traditional 32. This expansion is designed to increase global representation and excitement, allowing more nations to compete on the world stage.

Every single game from the competition has been available to watch on free-to-air TV for UK viewers, with the BBC and ITV sharing coverage right through to the decider. This arrangement ensures that fans across the UK can enjoy the tournament without the need for subscription services, making it accessible to a wider audience. The collaboration between these two major broadcasters has been critical in promoting the tournament and enhancing the viewing experience for fans.

The time difference has posed a challenge for European audiences, with some games kicking off in the early hours. The matches are being held across various time zones in North America, leading to instances where games start late at night or very early in the morning in the UK. However, there are kinder start times for the semi-finals and final, which are scheduled for the evening, making it easier for fans to tune in without disrupting their sleep schedules.

Here’s how you can watch every game at the 2026 World Cup on the BBC and ITV – and STV in Scotland. The comprehensive coverage includes not just the matches but also expert analysis, pre-match and post-match discussions, and highlights, enhancing the overall viewing experience.

World Cup 2026 TV Schedule, UK

Knockout Stages

Sunday 28 June

South Africa 0-1 Canada (Round of 32)

Monday 29 June

Brazil 2-1 Japan (Round of 32)

Germany 1-1 (3-4 pens) Paraguay (Round of 32)

Tuesday 30 June

Netherlands 1-1 (2-3 pens) Morocco (Round of 32)

Ivory Coast 1-2 Norway (Round of 32)

France 3-0 Sweden (Round of 32)

Wednesday 1 July

Mexico 2-0 Ecuador (Round of 32)

England 2-1 DR Congo (Round of 32)

Belgium 3-2 Senegal A.E.T. (Round of 32)

Thursday 2 July

USA 2-0 Bosnia and Herzegovina (Round of 32)

Spain 3-0 Austria (Round of 32)

Friday 3 July

Portugal 2-1 Croatia (Round of 32)

Switzerland 2-0 Algeria (Round of 32)

Australia 1-1 (2-4 pens) Egypt (Round of 32)

Argentina 3-2 Cape Verde A.E.T. (Round of 32)

Saturday 4 July

Colombia 1-0 Ghana (Round of 32)

Canada 0-3 Morocco (Round of 16)

Sunday 5 July

Paraguay 0-1 France (Round of 16)

Monday 6 July

Brazil 1-2 Norway (Round of 16)

Tuesday 7 July

Mexico 2-3 England (Round of 16)

Portugal 0-1 Spain (Round of 16)

Wednesday 8 July

USA 1-4 Belgium (Round of 16)

Argentina 3-2 Egypt (Round of 16)

Switzerland 0-0 (4-3 pens) Colombia (Round of 16)

Thursday 9 July

France 2-0 Morocco (Quarter-final)

Friday 10 July

Spain 2-1 Belgium (Quarter-final)

Saturday 11 July

Norway 1-2 England (Quarter-final)

Sunday 12 July

Argentina vs Switzerland (Quarter-final) – 2am BST – ITV 1, ITV X, STV, STV Player

Tuesday 14 July

France vs Spain (Semi-final) – 8pm BST – TBC

Wednesday 15 July

England vs Argentina/Switzerland (Semi-final) – 8pm BST – TBC

Saturday 18 July

Third-place play-off – 10pm BST – TBC

Sunday 19 July

Final – 8pm BST – TBC

Group Stage Results

Thursday 11 June

Mexico 2-0 South Africa (Group A)

Friday 12 June

South Korea 2-1 Czech Republic (Group A)

Canada 1-1 Bosnia-Herzegovina (Group B)

Saturday 13 June

USA 4-1 Paraguay (Group D)

Qatar 1-1 Switzerland (Group B)

Brazil 1-1 Morocco (Group C)

Sunday 14 June

Haiti 0-1 Scotland (Group C)

Australia 2-0 Turkey (Group D)

Germany 7-1 Curacao (Group E)

Netherlands 2-2 Japan (Group F)

Monday 15 June

Ivory Coast 1-0 Ecuador (Group E)

Sweden 5-1 Tunisia (Group F)

Spain 0-0 Cape Verde (Group H)

Belgium 1-1 Egypt (Group G)

Saudi Arabia 1-1 Uruguay (Group H)

Tuesday 16 June

Iran 2-2 New Zealand (Group G)

France 3-1 Senegal (Group I)

Iraq 1-3 Norway (Group I)

Wednesday 17 June

Argentina 3-0 Algeria (Group J)

Austria 3-1 Jordan (Group J)

Portugal 1-1 DR Congo (Group K)

England 4-2 Croatia (Group L)

Thursday 18 June

Ghana 1-0 Panama (Group L)

Uzbekistan 1-3 Colombia (Group K)

Czech Republic 1-1 South Africa (Group A)

Switzerland 4-1 Bosnia-Herzegovina (Group B)

Canada 6-0 Qatar (Group B)

Friday 19 June

Mexico 1-0 South Korea (Group A)

USA 2-0 Australia (Group D)

Scotland 0-1 Morocco (Group C)

Saturday 20 June

Brazil 3-0 Haiti (Group C)

Turkey 0-1 Paraguay (Group D)

Netherlands 5-1 Sweden (Group F)

Germany 2-1 Ivory Coast (Group E)

Sunday 21 June

Ecuador 0-0 Curacao (Group E)

Tunisia 1-5 Japan (Group F)

Spain 4-0 Saudi Arabia (Group H)

Belgium 0-0 Iran (Group G)

Uruguay 2-2 Cape Verde (Group H)

Monday 22 June

New Zealand 1-3 Egypt (Group G)

Argentina 2-0 Austria (Group J)

France 3-0 Iraq (Group I)

Tuesday 23 June

Norway 3-2 Senegal (Group I)

Jordan 1-2 Algeria (Group J)

Portugal 5-0 Uzbekistan (Group K)

England 0-0 Ghana (Group L)

Wednesday 24 June

Panama 0-1 Croatia (Group L)

Colombia 1-0 DR Congo (Group K)

Bosnia-Herzegovina 3-1 Qatar (Group B)

Switzerland 2-1 Canada (Group B)

Morocco 4-2 Haiti (Group C)

Scotland 0-3 Brazil (Group C)

Thursday 25 June

Czech Republic 0-3 Mexico (Group A)

South Africa 1-0 South Korea (Group A)

Curacao 0-2 Ivory Coast (Group E)

Ecuador 2-1 Germany (Group E)

Friday 26 June

Japan 1-1 Sweden (Group F)

Tunisia 1-3 Netherlands (Group F)

Paraguay 0-0 Australia (Group D)

Turkey 3-2 USA (Group D)

Norway 1-4 France (Group I)

Senegal 5-0 Iraq (Group I)

Saturday 27 June

Cape Verde 0-0 Saudi Arabia (Group H)

Uruguay 0-1 Spain (Group H)

Egypt 1-1 Iran (Group G)

New Zealand 1-5 Belgium (Group G)

Croatia 2-1 Ghana (Group L)

Panama 0-2 England (Group L)

Sunday 28 June

Colombia 0-0 Portugal (Group K)

DR Congo 3-1 Uzbekistan (Group K)

Algeria 3-3 Austria (Group J)

Jordan 1-3 Argentina (Group J)

As the tournament progresses, the excitement builds not only among fans but also within the footballing community as teams vie for the ultimate prize. The knockout stages are particularly intense, with teams facing elimination if they do not perform at their best. This format adds an extra layer of drama and unpredictability to the matches, making every game crucial.

Looking ahead, the semi-finals will feature some of the world’s best teams, and the anticipation among fans is palpable. The final, set to take place on July 19, will undoubtedly be a grand spectacle, showcasing the pinnacle of international football. With the stakes higher than ever, players will be looking to leave their mark on the tournament, and fans will be eagerly watching to see which nation will lift the coveted trophy.

The implications of the World Cup extend beyond just the matches themselves. The tournament serves as a platform for nations to unite under the banner of sport, fostering a sense of camaraderie and national pride. It also provides an opportunity for players to showcase their talents on a global stage, potentially impacting their careers and future opportunities in club football.

In conclusion, the World Cup 2026 has already proven to be a thrilling competition, and as the knockout rounds unfold, fans around the world are gearing up for what promises to be an unforgettable conclusion. With comprehensive coverage available in the UK, football enthusiasts can enjoy every moment of the action as they support their favorite teams in the quest for glory.

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