- World Cup 2026: Thursday, June 11 – Friday, July 19
- Watch World Cup 2026 free on BBC iPlayer & ITVX (UK) / SBS on Demand (Australia) / RTÉ Player (Ireland)
- Unlock your stream with Norton VPN (60-day money back guarantee)
World Cup 2026 kicks off today, with a clash between co-hosts Mexico and South Africa at Estadio Azteca at 8pm BST/3pm ET. It's arguably a must-win game for both teams too, with Group A likely to be extremely competitive.
The game will, of course, be preceded by the first of three opening ceremonies. This one is being headlined by Shakira and Burna Boy.
Defending champions Argentina arrive looking to retain their crown, but they're expected to face fierce competition from the likes of France, Spain, Portugal, Brazil and, of course, England.
The most eye-catching games on the cards this week are Brazil's meeting with Morocco in Group C at 11pm BST/6pm ET on Saturday, and an encounter between the Netherlands and Japan in Group F at 9pm BST/4pm ET on Sunday.
Streaming every match is, of course, key to the tournament experience, and we'll show you exactly how to watch every game of World Cup 2026.
So read on as we explain how to watch World Cup 2026 live streams online, on TV and potentially for free wherever you are. We've also listed today's fixtures, the full schedule and the group standings.
World Cup fixtures today
(All times BST)
Thursday, June 11
8pm – Mexico vs South Africa | ITVX, SBS on Demand, RTÉ Player
Friday, June 12
3am – South Korea vs Czech Republic | ITVX, SBS on Demand, RTÉ Player
8pm – Canada vs Bosnia & Herzegovina | BBC iPlayer, SBS on Demand, RTÉ Player
Can you watch World Cup 2026 for free?
Yes. Every World Cup 2026 game is free-to-air on SBS on Demand in Australia, RTÉ Player in Ireland, and either BBC iPlayer or ITVX in the UK.
Find the full list here of every country showing all 104 games for free:
- 🇬🇧 UK: BBC / ITVX (English commentary)
- 🇦🇺 Australia: SBS On Demand (English commentary)
- 🇧🇷 Brazil: CazéTV's YouTube (no account required)
- 🇧🇪 Belgium: RTBF / VRT
- 🇮🇪 Ireland: RTE Player (English commentary)
- 🇳🇱 Netherlands: NOS
- 🇨🇭 Switzerland: SRF Play / RTS Play / RSI Play
- 🇹🇷 Turkey: TRT
Traveling abroad right now? You can use a VPN to watch the World Cup for free as if you were right at home.
Use a VPN to watch World Cup 2026 live streams
If you’re travelling, you might discover your usual World Cup stream is suddenly unavailable due to geo-restrictions.
Don’t worry, that’s exactly where a VPN can help. A virtual private network lets you connect to servers around the world so you can securely access your usual World Cup coverage as if you were back home.
We recommend Norton VPN. Here’s why:
How to watch World Cup 2026 live streams in the USA
In the US, World Cup 2026 is split between Fox and FS1.
Fox is showing 70 games, including the final, both semis and all four quarters. The other 34 games will be available to watch on FS1.
If you don't have the channels on cable, they're both available through Sling – specifically the Blue plan, which starts at $45.99/month. You can also access it via YouTube TV (free trial), Fubo (free trial), and DirecTV.
Alternatively, you can live stream all 104 World Cup games via Fox One, which costs $19.99/month after a 3-day FREE trial.
Visiting the US from the UK, Australia or Ireland? Use Norton VPN to tap into your free World Cup 2026 coverage.
How to watch World Cup 2026 live streams in the UK
World Cup coverage is shared between ITV and BBC channels in the UK, which means all 104 games are free-to-air.
Live streaming is available via the ITVX and BBC iPlayer websites and mobile apps.
If you're outside the UK but want to tap into your usual coverage, check out Norton VPN and follow the instructions above.
How to watch World Cup 2026 live streams in Canada
In Canada, all 104 games of World Cup 2026 are being shown by TSN.
You can live stream them via the TSN+ streaming platform, which costs CA$8 per month or CA$80 per year.
45 games, including the World Cup final and both semi-finals, will also be available to watch on CTV.
Outside of Canada? Use Norton VPN whilst you're traveling away from home to unlock your stream.
How to watch World Cup 2026 live streams in Australia
Free-to-air SBS is showing World Cup 2026 in its entirety in Australia, with live streaming available via SBS on Demand.
Outside of Oz? You can use Norton VPN to access your usual World Cup coverage.
World Cup 2026: Need to Know
World Cup 2026 Preview
With the start of World Cup 2026 here, the magic of this tournament can be seen everywhere: in its ability to resurrect Neymar's playing career from the brink of no-return; in the twisted joy it takes from tempting England, the Netherlands and Belgium and so many others to believe they can conquer this Sisyphean feat; in the suffocating chokehold it has over Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal.
Even those who have reached the summit aren't immune from its pull. Lionel Messi was supposed to call it a day when Argentina finally got over the line four years ago, albeit not without a few questionable refereeing calls. Instead, he reversed his decision in order to try his luck again, this time juggling his football with an abassadorial role for the US.
Kylian Mbappe was 19 when he put France on his back and danced Les Bleus to the title eight years ago. In Qatar he topped the scoring charts – and netted a hat-trick in the final. Despite having only featured at two editions of the tournament, he could become the World Cup's outright all-time top-scorer with five goals this summer. Yet he finds himself in the absurd position of wanting to win in part just to ward off criticism from Real Madrid's legions of fans.
Looking to make a similarly mesmeric impact on their introduction to the world stage are Lamine Yamal and Erling Haaland, arguably the two most destructive individuals in club football. Despite being sidelined with a hamstring injury in recent weeks, the mere presence of the electrifying 18-year-old in the Spain squad sets them apart as World Cup favourites.
What is the World Cup 2026 schedule?
(All times BST)
GROUP STAGE
Thursday, June 11
8pm – Mexico vs South Africa | ITVX, SBS on Demand, RTÉ Player
Friday, June 12
3am – South Korea vs Czech Republic | ITVX, SBS on Demand, RTÉ Player
8pm – Canada vs Bosnia & Herzegovina | BBC iPlayer, SBS on Demand, RTÉ Player
Saturday, June 13
2am – USA vs Paraguay | BBC iPlayer, SBS on Demand, RTÉ Player
8pm – Qatar vs Switzerland | ITVX, SBS on Demand, RTÉ Player
11pm – Brazil vs Morocco | BBC iPlayer, SBS on Demand, RTÉ Player
Sunday, June 14
2am – Haiti vs Scotland | BBC iPlayer, SBS on Demand, RTÉ Player
5am – Australia vs Turkey | ITVX, SBS on Demand, RTÉ Player
6pm – Germany vs Curacao | ITVX, SBS on Demand, RTÉ Player
9pm – Netherlands vs Japan | ITVX, SBS on Demand, RTÉ Player
Monday, June 15
12am – Ivory Coast vs Ecuador | BBC iPlayer, SBS on Demand, RTÉ Player
3am – Sweden vs Tunisia | ITVX, SBS on Demand, RTÉ Player
5pm – Spain vs Cape Verde | ITVX, SBS on Demand, RTÉ Player
8pm – Belgium vs Egypt | BBC iPlayer, SBS on Demand, RTÉ Player
11pm – Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay | ITVX, SBS on Demand, RTÉ Player
Tuesday, June 16
2am – Iran vs New Zealand | BBC iPlayer, SBS on Demand, RTÉ Player
8pm – France vs Senegal | BBC iPlayer, SBS on Demand, RTÉ Player
11pm – Iraq vs Norway | BBC iPlayer, SBS on Demand, RTÉ Player
Wednesday, June 17
2am – Argentina vs Algeria | ITVX, SBS on Demand, RTÉ Player
5am – Austria vs Jordan | BBC iPlayer, SBS on Demand, RTÉ Player
6pm – Portugal vs DR Congo | BBC iPlayer, SBS on Demand, RTÉ Player
9pm – England vs Croatia | ITVX, SBS on Demand, RTÉ Player
Thursday, June 18
12am – Ghana vs Panama | ITVX, SBS on Demand, RTÉ Player
3am – Uzbekistan vs Colombia | BBC iPlayer, SBS on Demand, RTÉ Player
5pm – Czech Republic vs South Africa | BBC iPlayer, SBS on Demand, RTÉ Player
8pm – Switzerland vs Bosnia & Herzegovina | ITVX, SBS on Demand, RTÉ Player
11pm – Canada vs Qatar | ITVX, SBS on Demand, RTÉ Player
Friday, June 19
2am – Mexico vs South Korea | BBC iPlayer, SBS on Demand, RTÉ Player
8pm – USA vs Australia | BBC iPlayer, SBS on Demand, RTÉ Player
11pm – Scotland vs Morocco | ITVX, SBS on Demand, RTÉ Player
Saturday, June 20
2am – Brazil vs Haiti | ITVX, SBS on Demand, RTÉ Player
5am – Turkey vs Paraguay | ITVX, SBS on Demand, RTÉ Player
6pm – Netherlands vs Sweden | BBC iPlayer, SBS on Demand, RTÉ Player
9pm – Germany vs Ivory Coast | ITVX, SBS on Demand, RTÉ Player
Sunday, June 21
1am – Ecuador vs Curacao | BBC iPlayer, SBS on Demand, RTÉ Player
5am – Tunisia vs Japan | BBC iPlayer, SBS on Demand, RTÉ Player
5pm – Spain vs Saudi Arabia | BBC iPlayer, SBS on Demand, RTÉ Player
8pm – Belgium vs Iran | ITVX, SBS on Demand, RTÉ Player
11pm – Uruguay vs Cape Verde | BBC iPlayer, SBS on Demand, RTÉ Player
Monday, June 22
2am – New Zealand vs Egypt | ITVX, SBS on Demand, RTÉ Player
6pm – Argentina vs Austria | BBC iPlayer, SBS on Demand, RTÉ Player
10pm – France vs Iraq | BBC iPlayer, SBS on Demand, RTÉ Player
Tuesday, June 23
1am – Norway vs Senegal | ITVX, SBS on Demand, RTÉ Player
4am – Jordan vs Algeria | ITVX, SBS on Demand, RTÉ Player
6pm – Portugal vs Uzbekistan | ITVX, SBS on Demand, RTÉ Player
9pm – England vs Ghana | BBC iPlayer, SBS on Demand, RTÉ Player
Wednesday, June 24
12am – Panama vs Croatia | BBC iPlayer, SBS on Demand, RTÉ Player
3am – Colombia vs DR Congo | ITVX, SBS on Demand, RTÉ Player
8pm – Switzerland vs Canada | ITVX, SBS on Demand, RTÉ Player
8pm – Bosnia & Herzegovina vs Qatar | ITVX, SBS on Demand, RTÉ Player
11pm – Morocco vs Haiti | BBC iPlayer, SBS on Demand, RTÉ Player
11pm – Scotland vs Brazil | BBC iPlayer, SBS on Demand, RTÉ Player
Thursday, June 25
2am – South Africa vs South Korea | BBC iPlayer, SBS on Demand, RTÉ Player
2am – Czech Republic vs Mexico | BBC iPlayer, SBS on Demand, RTÉ Player
9pm – Curacao vs Ivory Coast | BBC iPlayer, SBS on Demand, RTÉ Player
9pm – Ecuador vs Germany | BBC iPlayer, SBS on Demand, RTÉ Player
Friday, June 26
12am – Tunisia vs Netherlands | BBC iPlayer, SBS on Demand, RTÉ Player
12am – Japan vs Sweden | BBC iPlayer, SBS on Demand, RTÉ Player
3am – Turkey vs USA | ITVX, SBS on Demand, RTÉ Player
3am – Paraguay vs Australia | ITVX, SBS on Demand, RTÉ Player
8pm – Norway vs France | ITVX, SBS on Demand, RTÉ Player
8pm – Senegal vs Iraq | ITVX, SBS on Demand, RTÉ Player
Saturday, June 27
1am – Cape Verde vs Saudi Arabia | ITVX, SBS on Demand, RTÉ Player
1am – Uruguay vs Spain | ITVX, SBS on Demand, RTÉ Player
4am – New Zealand vs Belgium | BBC iPlayer, SBS on Demand, RTÉ Player
4am – Egypt vs Iran | BBC iPlayer, SBS on Demand, RTÉ Player
10pm – Panama vs England | ITVX, SBS on Demand, RTÉ Player
10pm – Croatia vs Ghana | ITVX, SBS on Demand, RTÉ Player
Sunday, June 28
12.30am – Colombia vs Portugal | BBC iPlayer, SBS on Demand, RTÉ Player
12.30am – DR Congo vs Uzbekistan | BBC iPlayer, SBS on Demand, RTÉ Player
3am – Algeria vs Austria | BBC iPlayer, SBS on Demand, RTÉ Player
3am – Jordan vs Argentina | BBC iPlayer, SBS on Demand, RTÉ Player
KNOCKOUT STAGE
ROUND OF 32
Sunday, June 28
8pm – A2 vs B2
Monday, June 29
6pm – C1 vs F2
9.30pm – E1 vs A/B/C/D/F3
Tuesday, June 30
2am – F1 vs C2
6pm – E2 vs I2
10pm – I1 vs C/D/F/G/H3
Wednesday, July 1
2am – A1 vs C/E/F/H/I3
5pm – L1 vs E/H/I/J/K3
9pm – G1 vs A/E/H/I/J3
Thursday, July 2
1am – D1 vs B/E/F/I/J3
8pm – H1 vs J2
Friday, July 3
12am – K2 vs L2
4am – B1 vs E/F/G/I/J3
7pm – D2 vs G2
11pm – J1 vs H2
Saturday, July 4
2.30am – K1 vs D/E/I/J/L3
ROUND OF 16
Saturday, July 4
6pm – Round of 16 game 1
10pm – Round of 16 game 2
Sunday, July 5
9pm – Round of 16 game 3
Monday, July 6
1am – Round of 16 game 4
8pm – Round of 16 game 5
Tuesday, July 7
1am – Round of 16 game 6
5pm – Round of 16 game 7
9pm – Round of 16 game 8
QUARTER-FINALS
Thursday, July 9
9pm – Quarter-final 1
Friday, July 10
8pm – Quarter-final 2
Saturday, July 11
10pm – Quarter-final 3
Sunday, July 12
2am – Quarter-final 4
SEMI-FINALS
Tuesday, July 14
8pm – Semi-final 1
Wednesday, July 15
8pm – Semi-final 2
FINALS
Saturday, July 18
10pm – Third-place playoff
Sunday, July 19
8pm – 2026 FIFA World Cup final
World Cup 2026 groups
Position |
Team |
GD |
Points |
|---|---|---|---|
1 |
Mexico |
0 |
0 |
2 |
South Africa |
0 |
0 |
3 |
South Korea |
0 |
0 |
4 |
Czechia |
0 |
0 |
Position |
Team |
GD |
Points |
|---|---|---|---|
1 |
Canada |
0 |
0 |
2 |
Bosnia and Herzegovina |
0 |
0 |
3 |
Qatar |
0 |
0 |
4 |
Switzerland |
0 |
0 |
Position |
Team |
GD |
Points |
|---|---|---|---|
1 |
Brazil |
0 |
0 |
2 |
Morocco |
0 |
0 |
3 |
Haiti |
0 |
0 |
4 |
Scotland |
0 |
0 |
Position |
Team |
GD |
Points |
|---|---|---|---|
1 |
USA |
0 |
0 |
2 |
Paraguay |
0 |
0 |
3 |
Australia |
0 |
0 |
4 |
Turkey |
0 |
0 |
Position |
Team |
GD |
Points |
|---|---|---|---|
1 |
Germany |
0 |
0 |
2 |
Curacao |
0 |
0 |
3 |
Ivory Coast |
0 |
0 |
4 |
Ecuador |
0 |
0 |
Position |
Team |
GD |
Points |
|---|---|---|---|
1 |
Netherlands |
0 |
0 |
2 |
Japan |
0 |
0 |
3 |
Sweden |
0 |
0 |
4 |
Tunisia |
0 |
0 |
Position |
Team |
GD |
Points |
|---|---|---|---|
1 |
Belgium |
0 |
0 |
2 |
Egypt |
0 |
0 |
3 |
Iran |
0 |
0 |
4 |
New Zealand |
0 |
0 |
Position |
Team |
GD |
Points |
|---|---|---|---|
1 |
Cape Verde |
0 |
0 |
2 |
Saudi Arabia |
0 |
0 |
3 |
Spain |
0 |
0 |
4 |
Uruguay |
0 |
0 |
Position |
Team |
GD |
Points |
|---|---|---|---|
1 |
France |
0 |
0 |
2 |
Iraq |
0 |
0 |
3 |
Norway |
0 |
0 |
4 |
Senegal |
0 |
0 |
Position |
Team |
GD |
Points |
|---|---|---|---|
1 |
Algeria |
0 |
0 |
2 |
Argentina |
0 |
0 |
3 |
Austria |
0 |
0 |
4 |
Jordan |
0 |
0 |
Position |
Team |
GD |
Points |
|---|---|---|---|
1 |
Colombia |
0 |
0 |
2 |
DR Congo |
0 |
0 |
3 |
Portugal |
0 |
0 |
4 |
Uzbekistan |
0 |
0 |
Position |
Team |
GD |
Points |
|---|---|---|---|
1 |
Croatia |
0 |
0 |
2 |
England |
0 |
0 |
3 |
Ghana |
0 |
0 |
4 |
Panama |
0 |
0 |
Can I watch World Cup 2026 on my mobile?
Of course, most broadcasters have streaming services that you can access through mobile apps or via your phone's browser.
You can also stay up-to-date with all of the key World Cup moments on the official social media channels on Instagram (@FIFAWorldCup), Facebook (@FIFAWorldCup) and FIFA's YouTube (@FIFA).
We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example:1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service).2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad.We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.
