BBC Sport and ITV have entered into a partnership for broadcasting the FIFA World Cup in 2026 and 2030.
- This agreement ensures that audiences can enjoy the tournaments free-to-air on multiple platforms.
- The 2026 World Cup will take place in North America, featuring 48 teams over 39 days.
- In 2030, the tournament will make history by being hosted across three continents.
- Key figures express optimism about delivering memorable World Cup experiences to a wide audience.
BBC Sport and ITV have entered into a collaborative agreement to provide live coverage of both the 2026 and 2030 FIFA World Cup tournaments, bringing free-to-air accessibility to audiences across various platforms. This agreement includes live TV coverage, with the BBC offering content through its TV channels and iPlayer, while live audio commentary will be available on BBC Radio 5 Live and 5 Sports Extra. Audiences can access these broadcasts on the BBC Sounds app and follow updates on the BBC Sport website. ITV will also distribute live free-to-air broadcasts across ITV1, ITV4, and ITVX, alongside highlights and exclusive content on ITV Sport’s social media channels.
This partnership guarantees that the broadcast rights will be shared equally, allowing both broadcasters to split the matches, including sharing the coveted final. The duo’s collaboration ensures enduring free-to-air viewing of the World Cup matches, which are highly anticipated globally.
The 2026 tournament, a significant event in the footballing calendar, will occur in the USA, Canada, and Mexico. Anticipation builds as 48 teams are set to compete in 104 matches spanning 39 days, marking the beginning of a new era in international football.
For 2030, the World Cup is poised to make history with a novel hosting arrangement across three continents, spearheaded by Spain, Portugal, and Morocco. Additionally, three celebratory matches will take place in Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay to commence the competition.
Key voices from the BBC and ITV have emphasized the transformative potential of these tournaments. Alex Kay-Jelski from BBC Sport highlighted the World Cup’s capacity to unite global audiences, describing it as “magical” and a chance to experience unforgettable sporting moments. Meanwhile, ITV’s Niall Sloane expressed enthusiasm for showcasing “memorable, historic and exciting moments” to one of the broadest audiences possible. Mattias Grafstrom from FIFA noted the expanded World Cup format’s capacity to captivate football fans worldwide, praising the partnership with the BBC and ITV for maximizing audience reach and experience in the UK.
The collaborative effort between BBC and ITV to broadcast the FIFA World Cup in 2026 and 2030 promises to bring the world’s most celebrated football event to wide audiences free of charge.
