How to Watch the 2026 World Cup in the UK
The UK has the best World Cup deal in the world: BBC and ITV are sharing all 104 matches, both free. No subscription, no paywall — just a TV licence or a BBC/ITV account for the streaming apps.
UK broadcasters
| Service | Language | Cost | VPN? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free with UK TV licence; no subscription needed. Best free option globally for VPN users. | English | Free | No |
| Free ad-supported streaming | English | Free | No |
BBC iPlayer
BBC has the rights to the majority of matches, including all knockout games from the quarter-finals onward and most high-profile group stage fixtures. BBC One and BBC Two are the main channels; BBC iPlayer streams everything online, live and on-demand.
To watch on iPlayer, you need a free BBC account (just an email address) and to be in the UK — or connected to a UK VPN server if you're abroad. The TV licence question during sign-up is self-declared; you don't need to provide proof.
How to watch on iPlayer
- Go to bbc.co.uk/iplayer or download the BBC iPlayer app
- Sign in or register — you need a free BBC account
- Find the World Cup under the Sport section
- Matches are also available for 30 days after broadcast
iPlayer apps are available on iOS, Android, Fire TV, Roku, Samsung Smart TV, LG Smart TV, Sony Smart TV, PlayStation, Xbox, and most modern streaming sticks.
ITVX
ITV shares the rights with BBC and will carry a selection of matches on ITV1 and ITV4. These are streamed free on ITVX (ITV's streaming service) with ads. A free ITVX account is required.
ITVX also offers a paid tier (ITVX Premium, around £3.99/month) which removes ads, but it's not required for World Cup access.
Watching abroad during the tournament?
BBC iPlayer and ITVX are geo-restricted to the UK. If you're traveling during the World Cup — or an expat abroad — a VPN connected to a UK server restores access to both services. It's the standard solution and works reliably with all major VPNs.
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Watching on specific devices
Smart TV
BBC iPlayer and ITVX come pre-installed on most UK Smart TVs (Samsung, LG, Sony, Panasonic). If not, find them in your TV's app store.
Fire TV / Roku / Apple TV
BBC iPlayer and ITVX apps are available for all major streaming sticks and boxes. Search for them in the device's app store.
Mobile
BBC iPlayer and ITVX both have iOS and Android apps with full live and on-demand access. Download from the App Store or Google Play.
Computer
bbc.co.uk/iplayer and itvx.com work in any browser. No plugin needed — just sign in and watch.