FIFA World Cup 2026: Get ready for the biggest football tournament ever

Three host countries, 16 stadiums, 39 days, 48 teams, 104 matches, 170 match officials and 1,248 players. Yes, it’s the biggest FIFA World Cup of all time – and it all kicks off on Thursday 11 June in Mexico City. Are you ready?

Well, with the unprecedented magnitude of the tournament, we’re not sure anyone could say they’re fully ready. But with this guide to the key matches, TV times, teams and players, we’re hoping to get you as ready as possible to immerse yourself in a tournament featuring the world’s very best players, the absolute pinnacle of men’s international football, for five and a half weeks.

With the BBC, ITV and STV as official broadcasters, all the games are on free-to-air television channels and available to all Virgin TV customers. All matches will also be streamed live on the relevant service, so Apps > BBC iPlayer, Apps > ITVX or Apps > STV Player. And remember, you can follow all the live action wherever you are in the UK, as long as there’s WiFi, 3G or 4G, thanks to Virgin TV Go. Simply download the free app, which is free to all Virgin TV customers and is compatible with Android, iOS, Windows 10 and PC/Mac. Download the Virgin TV Go app.

How will England and Scotland fare? Who are the likely winners? Which players could light up the World Cup? Read on to find out and get excited for the 2026 World Cup in North America.

First things first – when can you watch the two UK nations who have qualified? Scotland are in Group C and England are in Group L. All times are kick-off times in British Summer Time.

Sunday 14 June

Group C: Haiti v Scotland
2am, BBC One HD (CH 101) + Apps > BBC iPlayer
Venue: Boston

Wednesday 17 June

Group L: England v Croatia
9pm, ITV1 HD (CH 103) or STV HD (CH 103) + Apps > ITVX + Apps > STV Player
Venue: Dallas

Friday 19 June

Group C: Scotland v Morocco
11pm, ITV1 HD (CH 103) or STV HD (CH 103) + Apps > ITVX + Apps > STV Player
Venue: Boston

Tuesday 23 June

Group L: England v Ghana
9pm, BBC One HD (CH 101) + Apps > BBC iPlayer
Venue: Boston

Wednesday 24 June

Group C: Scotland v Brazil
11pm, BBC One HD (CH 101) + Apps > BBC iPlayer
Venue: Miami

Saturday 27 June

Group L: Panama v England
10pm, ITV1 HD (CH 103) or STV HD (CH 103) + Apps > ITVX + Apps > STV Player
Venue: New Jersey

If you’ve heard opinions about Thomas Tuchel’s England squad, they were probably to do with the omission of talents like Cole Palmer, Phil Foden and Trent Alexander-Arnold. They’re all great players, but Tuchel has resisted picking on reputation (none of those have been in top form) and instead chosen a balanced squad with players who fit the way he wants to play. England have often gone into tournaments with their hopes pinned on half-fit or out-of-form stars. Not this time.

Captain Harry Kane will be key, and not only because he’s coming off an incredible 61-goal double-winning season with Bayern and has 15 tournament goals for his country, but because he’s the fulcrum of England’s attack under Tuchel. The nation’s record scorer is superb as the furthest man forward but when he drops deep, as he does, he can use his vision to hit pacy runners like Bukayo Saka, Morgan Rogers and Anthony Gordon. If they can get it right, expect goals.

Further back, England have a solid spine with the excitable but reliable Jordan Pickford in goal, Marc Guéhi and Ezri Konsa at centre-back, and Arsenal talisman Declan Rice alongside the in-demand Elliot Anderson in midfield. They have a tricky first match against Croatia, who beat them in the 2018 semi-final, before facing Ghana and Panama. It would be a surprise if they don’t progress from the group, but with so many teams and so many variables, the knockouts are more of a minefield than usual. They could face hosts Mexico in Mexico City in the round of 16.

It’s 28 years since Scotland last appeared in the World Cup finals but coach Steve Clarke has followed up qualification for Euro 24 by leading them through a tough group that included Denmark and Greece to make it to Canada-Mexico-USA 2026. Clinching it with a memorable 4-2 win over the Danes at Hampden – goals included a Scott McTominay overhead kick and a Kenny McLean strike from the halfway line – saw them riding a wave of positivity.

And they’ve got the talent to make an impact in North America. Napoli star McTominay isn’t the only squad member who’s been impressing in Serie A – his fellow midfielder Lewis Ferguson is a mainstay at Bologna, while striker Ché Adams has had success at Torino. Their hugely experienced defence includes Andy Robertson, Kieran Tierney and Scott McKenna, who’s just won a double with Dinamo Zagreb, while Aston Villa’s John McGinn is the engine. And they have youthful unpredictability in the form of wingers Ben Gannon-Doak and Findlay Curtis, both just 20.

Progress from the group stage has been a stumbling block for Scotland over the years: they’ve never managed it in a dozen major tournaments. The expansion of the World Cup finals to 48 teams means that eight third-place teams from the 12 groups will now qualify for the knockouts, so this is an inviting opportunity to break that duck. The opening game against Haiti, 40 places below them in the FIFA world rankings, will be crucial. Three points there and they can hardly fail to progress.

European champions Spain are the bookies’ favourites, with their abundance of technical midfielders and steely defence augmented by the extravagant skills of Lamine Yamal, who’s still just 18. France, 2022’s beaten finalists, run them pretty close thanks mainly to their huge array of high-class attacking options from Michael Olisé and Rayan Cherki to Ousmane Dembélé to Kylian Mbappé, although they’re a little less impressive at the back.

Holders Argentina have to be in the conversation with their vast experience (1,224 caps in the squad) and sprinkling of superstars including Emiliano Martínez and Lautaro Martínez, although they may not be able to rely on 38-year-old Leo Messi for inspiration as much as they did in Qatar. Brazil have a wily manager in Carlo Ancelotti and quality throughout, with a true wild card in the recalled Neymar, who hasn’t played for his country since 2023. Could he have an impact?

African champions (official) and 2022 semi-finalists Morocco have the ability to go deep again, while traditional European giants like Portugal, Netherlands, Germany and, yes, England will have the usual high expectations. As for dark horses, you can’t rule out Norway when they’ve got the rampaging striker Erling Haaland in their ranks, and the likes of Japan, Sénégal and Ecuador are capable of shocking one of the big guns.

As for Canada, Mexico and the USA, all three host nations will have an eye on the quarter-finals at least, with home advantage on their side. All the other teams will have to adapt and, with high temperatures and humidity expected at many venues, success could come down to who copes with the conditions best.

The English league is the most represented domestic competition at the World Cup with more than 200 players at the tournament, including 17 from Manchester City and 16 from Arsenal. But who are the lesser-known players from elsewhere in the world who could step up and become superstars?

Ibrahim Maza (Algeria)

Inevitably dubbed “Mazadona”, the gifted Bayer Leverkusen playmaker has the ability to take on the mantle of being Algeria’s creative spark from Riyad Mahrez. He’s just 20 but already has a litany of impressive Bundesliga performances behind him and starred at the last Africa Cup of Nations.

Sebastián Cáceres (Uruguay)

A stalwart for Mexican side Club America since 2019, Cáceres has established himself at the heart of Marcelo Bielsa’s Uruguay team alongside Barcelona’s Ronald Araújo, thanks to his pace, aggression and passing ability.

Victor Muñoz (Spain)

Osasuna’s 22-year-old winger, a product of the Real Madrid academy, scored on his international debut in March. With stars Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams doubtful for the early games thanks to injuries, the diminutive, skilful Muñoz could grab the chance to make his name.

Ismaël Koné (Canada)

The sometime Watford midfielder struggled at Marseille but has found a new lease of life in Serie A, where he’s become a dynamic but disciplined box-to-box player at Sassuolo. He’ll be one of the first names on the Canada team sheet and may be at a higher-profile club soon.

Ayase Ueda (Japan)

The former Kashima Antlers striker is in terrific form: now at Feyenoord, he was the Dutch league’s top scorer by miles this season, and he also has 16 goals in 27 internationals caps since 2023, giving the Samurai Blue a vital cutting edge.

All times are kick-off times in British Summer Time. “BBC” indicates a game is on BBC TV, usually BBC One HD (CH 101), and streaming in Apps > BBC iPlayer. “ITV/STV” indicates a game is on an ITV channel, usually ITV1 HD (CH 103) or STV HD (CH 103), and streaming in Apps > ITVX and Apps > STV Player. Broadcasters for the knockout stages will be confirmed after each previous stage is completed.

For those with a compatible TV, all games streaming on Apps > BBC iPlayer are available in ultra HD. The final will be live on BBC One HD, ITV1 HD, STV HD and their streaming services.

Group A

Mexico v South Africa
Thursday 11 June, 8pm, ITV/STV
Venue: Mexico City

South Korea v Czechia
Friday 12 June, 3am, ITV/STV
Venue: Guadalajara

Czechia v South Africa
Thursday 18 June, 5pm, BBC
Venue: Atlanta

Mexico v South Korea
Friday 19 June, 2am, BBC
Venue: Guadalajara

Czechia v Mexico
Thursday 25 June, 2am, BBC
Venue: Mexico City

South Africa v South Korea
Thursday 25 June, 2am, BBC
Venue: Monterrey

Group B

Canada v Bosnia-Herzegovina
Friday 12 June, 8pm, BBC
Venue: Toronto

Qatar v Switzerland
Saturday 13 June, 8pm, ITV/STV
Venue: San Francisco

Switzerland v Bosnia-Herzegovina
Thursday 18 June, 8pm, ITV/STV
Venue: Atlanta

Canada v Qatar
Thursday 18 June, 11pm, ITV/STV
Venue: Guadalajara

Switzerland v Canada
Wednesday 24 June, 8pm, ITV/STV
Venue: Mexico City

Bosnia-Herzegovina v Qatar
Wednesday 24 June, 8pm, ITV/STV
Venue: Monterrey

Group C

Brazil v Morocco
Saturday 13 June, 11pm, BBC
Venue: New Jersey

Haiti v Scotland
Sunday 14 June, 2am, BBC
Venue: Boston

Scotland v Morocco
Friday 19 June, 11pm, ITV/STV
Venue: Boston

Brazil v Haiti
Saturday 20 June, 1.30am, ITV/STV
Venue: Philadelphia

Scotland v Brazil
Wednesday 24 June, 11pm, BBC
Venue: Miami

Morocco v Haiti
Wednesday 24 June, 11pm, BBC
Venue: Atlanta

Group D

USA v Paraguay
Saturday 13 June, 2am, BBC
Venue: Los Angeles

Australia v Türkiye
Sunday 14 June, 5am, ITV/STV
Venue: Vancouver

USA v Australia
Friday 19 June, 8pm, BBC
Venue: Seattle

Türkiye v Paraguay
Saturday 20 June, 4am, ITV/STV
Venue: San Francisco

Türkiye v USA
Friday 26 June, 3am, ITV/STV
Venue: Los Angeles

Paraguay v Australia
Friday 26 June, 3am, ITV/STV
Venue: San Francisco

Group E

Germany v Curaçao
Sunday 14 June, 6pm, ITV/STV
Venue: Houston

Côte D’Ivoire v Ecuador
Monday 15 June, 12am, BBC
Venue: Philadelphia

Germany v Côte D’Ivoire
Saturday 20 June, 9pm, ITV/STV
Venue: Toronto

Ecuador v Curaçao
Sunday 21 June, 1am, BBC
Venue: Kansas City

Curaçao v Côte D’Ivoire
Thursday 25 June, 9pm, BBC
Venue: Philadelphia

Ecuador v Germany
Thursday 25 June, 9pm, BBC
Venue: New Jersey

Group F

Netherlands v Japan
Sunday 14 June, 9pm, ITV/STV
Venue: Dallas

Sweden v Tunisia
Monday 15 June, 3am, ITV/STV
Venue: Monterrey

Netherlands v Sweden
Saturday 20 June, 6pm, BBC
Venue: Houston

Tunisia v Japan
Sunday 21 June, 5am, BBC
Venue: Monterrey

Japan v Sweden
Friday 26 June, 12am, BBC
Venue: Dallas

Tunisia v Netherlands
Friday 26 June, 12am, BBC
Venue: Kansas City

Group G

Belgium v Egypt
Monday 15 June, 8pm, BBC
Venue: Seattle

Iran v New Zealand
Tuesday 16 June, 2am, BBC
Venue: Los Angeles

Belgium v Iran
Sunday 21 June, 8pm, ITV/STV
Venue: Los Angeles

New Zealand v Egypt
Monday 22 June, 2am, ITV/STV
Venue: Vancouver

Egypt v Iran
Saturday 27 June, 4am, BBC
Venue: Seattle

New Zealand v Belgium
Saturday 27 June, 4am, BBC
Venue: Vancouver

Group H

Spain v Cape Verde
Monday 15 June, 5pm, ITV/STV
Venue: Atlanta

Saudi Arabia v Uruguay
Monday 15 June, 11pm, ITV/STV
Venue: Miami

Spain v Saudi Arabia
Sunday 21 June, 5pm, BBC
Venue: Atlanta

Uruguay v Cape Verde
Sunday 21 June, 11pm, BBC
Venue: Miami

Cape Verde v Saudi Arabia
Saturday 27 June, 1am, ITV/STV
Venue: Houston

Uruguay v Spain
Saturday 27 June, 1am, ITV/STV
Venue: Guadalajara

Group I

France v Sénégal
Tuesday 16 June, 8pm, BBC
Venue: New Jersey

Iraq v Norway
Tuesday 16 June, 11pm, BBC
Venue: Boston

France v Iraq
Monday 22 June, 10pm, BBC
Venue: Philadelphia

Norway v Sénégal
Tuesday 23 June, 1am, ITV/STV
Venue: New Jersey

Norway v France
Friday 26 June, 8pm, ITV/STV
Venue: Boston

Sénégal v Iraq
Friday 26 June, 8pm, ITV/STV
Venue: Toronto

Group J

Argentina v Algeria
Wednesday 17 June, 2am, ITV/STV
Venue: Kansas City

Austria v Jordan
Wednesday 17 June, 5am, BBC
Venue: San Francisco

Argentina v Austria
Monday 22 June, 6pm, BBC
Venue: Dallas

Jordan v Algeria
Tuesday 23 June, 4am, ITV/STV
Venue: San Francisco

Algeria v Austria
Sunday 28 June, 3am, BBC
Venue: Kansas City

Jordan v Argentina
Sunday 28 June, 3am, BBC
Venue: Dallas

Group K

Portugal v DR Congo
Wednesday 17 June, 6pm, BBC
Venue: Houston

Uzbekistan v Colombia
Thursday 18 June, 3am, BBC
Venue: Mexico City

Portugal v Uzbekistan
Tuesday 23 June, 6pm, ITV/STV
Venue: Houston

Colombia v DR Congo
Wednesday 24 June, 3am, ITV/STV
Venue: Guadalajara

Colombia v Portugal
Sunday 28 June, 12.30am, BBC
Venue: Miami

DR Congo v Uzbekistan
Sunday 28 June, 12.30am, BBC
Venue: Atlanta

Group L

England v Croatia
Wednesday 17 June, 9pm, ITV/STV
Venue: Dallas

Ghana v Panama
Thursday 18 June, 12am, ITV/STV
Venue: Toronto

England v Ghana
Tuesday 23 June, 9pm, BBC
Venue: Boston

Panama v Croatia
Wednesday 24 June, 12am, BBC
Venue: Toronto

Panama v England
Saturday 27 June, 10pm, ITV/STV
Venue: New Jersey

Croatia v Ghana
Saturday 27 June, 10pm, ITV/STV
Venue: Philadelphia

Round Of 32

First Match
Sunday 28 June, 8pm

Final Match
Saturday 4 July, 2.30am

Round Of 16

First Match
Saturday 4 July, 6pm

Final Match
Tuesday 7 July, 9pm

Quarter-finals

Quarter-final 1
Thursday 9 July, 9pm
Venue: Boston

Quarter-final 2
Friday 10 July, 8pm
Venue: Los Angeles

Quarter-final 3
Saturday 11 July, 10pm
Venue: Miami

Quarter-final 4
Sunday 12 July, 2am
Venue: Kansas City

Semi-finals

Semi-final 1
Tuesday 14 July, 8pm
Venue: Dallas

Semi-final 2
Wednesday 15 July, 8pm
Venue: Atlanta

Third-place Play-off

Saturday 18 July, 10pm
Venue: Miami

Final

Sunday 19 July, 8pm
Venue: New Jersey