Help
Visit our business site
The road to the 2022 World Cup starts here
The road to the 2022 World Cup starts here
As the quest to reach Qatar kicks off, find out when and where you can watch the home nations on Virgin TV with our essential fixtures guide
By Virgin TV Edit
Contenders ready? The Euros might be on the horizon, but right now attention turns to 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification. The race to be at football’s biggest party is about to begin – and you can follow the action on Virgin TV.
All of England’s matches will be broadcast live on ITV, while fixtures involving Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland can be watched live on Sky Sports. Can’t be in front of the telly when the Scots, Welsh and Irish are on? Then keep up to speed with their games live on the Sky Sports app.
Here’s how qualification works. With ten European groups in the mix, the ten group winners will automatically qualify for the World Cup. That leaves the ten group runners-up to battle it out through the play-offs in order to book their spot at the tournament.
With qualifying matches coming thick and fast between now and November, stay ahead of the game by checking out who the home nations have got – and how you can watch the action – with our comprehensive fixtures guide below…
The Three Lions, who last lost a World Cup qualifier nearly 12 years ago, are resounding favourites to win Group I. Should Gareth Southgate’s side stumble on their way to reaching Qatar, it’s likely to be against Poland and Hungary.
England v San Marino
Thursday 25 March, kick-off 7.45pm, ITV HD (CH 103/113)
Albania v England
Sunday 28 March, kick-off 5pm, ITV HD (CH 103/113)
England v Poland
Wednesday 31 March, kick-off 7.45pm, ITV HD (CH 103/113)
Hungary v England
Thursday 2 September, kick-off 7.45pm, ITV HD (CH 103/113)
England v Andorra
Sunday 5 September, kick-off 5pm, ITV HD (CH 103/113)
Poland v England
Wednesday 8 September, kick-off 7.45pm, ITV HD (CH 103/113)
Andorra v England
Saturday 9 October, kick-off 7.45pm, ITV HD (CH 103/113)
England v Hungary
Tuesday 12 October, kick-off 7.45pm, ITV HD (CH 103/113)
England v Albania
Friday 12 November, kick-off 7.45pm, ITV HD (CH 103/113)
San Marino v England
Monday 15 November, kick-off 7.45pm, ITV HD (CH 103/113)
Having qualified for the Euros in dramatic fashion at the end of last year, can the Scots reach their first World Cup since 1998? The more-than-decent trio of Denmark, Austria and Israel will have something to say about that.
Scotland v Austria
Thursday 25 March, kick-off 7.45pm, Sky Sports Main Event/HD (CH 511/501)
Israel v Scotland
Sunday 28 March, kick-off 7.45pm, Sky Sports Main Event/HD (CH 511/501)
Scotland v Faroe Islands
Wednesday 31 March, kick-off 7.45pm, Sky Sports Main Event/HD (CH 511/501)
Denmark v Scotland
Wednesday 1 September, kick-off 7.45pm, Sky Sports
Scotland v Moldova
Saturday 4 September, kick-off 7.45pm, Sky Sports
Austria v Scotland
Tuesday 7 September, kick-off 7.45pm, Sky Sports
Scotland v Israel
Saturday 9 October, kick-off 5pm, Sky Sports
Faroe Islands v Scotland
Tuesday 12 October, kick-off 7.45pm, Sky Sports
Moldova v Scotland
Friday 12 November, kick-off 7.45pm, Sky Sports
Scotland v Denmark
Monday 15 November, kick-off 7.45pm, Sky Sports
Pitted against Belgium and the Czech Republic (among others), Wales have been dealt a tough hand as they look to qualify for the first time since 1958. Can they summon the spirit of 2016 and make it through?
Belgium v Wales
Wednesday 24 March, kick-off 7.45pm, Sky Sports Main Event/HD (CH 511/501)
Wales v Czech Republic
Tuesday 30 March, kick-off 7.45pm, Sky Sports Main Event/HD (CH 511/501)
Belarus v Wales
Sunday 5 September, kick-off 2pm, Sky Sports
Wales v Estonia
Wednesday 8 September, kick-off 7.45pm, Sky Sports
Czech Republic v Wales
Friday 8 October, kick-off 7.45pm, Sky Sports
Estonia v Wales
Monday 11 October, kick-off 7.45pm, Sky Sports
Wales v Belarus
Saturday 13 November, kick-off 7.45pm, Sky Sports
Wales v Belgium
Tuesday 16 November, kick-off 7.45pm, Sky Sports
If Northern Ireland want to make it to Qatar – and their first World Cup since 1958 – they’re going to have to go through solid opposition in Italy, Switzerland and Bulgaria.
Italy v Northern Ireland
Thursday 25 March, kick-off 7.45pm, Sky Sports Football/HD (CH 513/503)
Northern Ireland v Bulgaria
Wednesday 31 March, kick-off 7.45pm, Sky Sports Football/HD (CH 513/503)
Lithuania v Northern Ireland
Thursday 2 September, kick-off 7.45pm, Sky Sports
Northern Ireland v Switzerland
Wednesday 8 September, kick-off 7.45pm, Sky Sports
Switzerland v Northern Ireland
Saturday 9 October, kick-off 7.45pm, Sky Sports
Bulgaria v Northern Ireland
Tuesday 12 October, kick-off 7.45pm, Sky Sports
Northern Ireland v Lithuania
Friday 12 October, kick-off 7.45pm, Sky Sports
Northern Ireland v Italy
Monday 15 November, kick-off 7.45pm, Sky Sports
Watch on the go
Virgin TV customers who subscribe to Sky Sports can watch on the go with the Sky Sports app. Not only will you be able to take your Sky packages with you, but you get in-depth sports coverage, as well as exclusive videos and interviews. On iPad and Android tablets you can also access Sky Sports’ cutting-edge second-screen functions. Download from the Apple app store for iPad or iPhone, or from Google Play.
Upgrade to Sky Sports now
Don’t have Sky Sports? You can find out about our Sky Sports package and upgrade here.
TV channels: Channels, content and features available depend on your chosen package. Channel line-ups and content are subject to change at any time and to regional variations.
HD: HD TV required to view HD channels. Number of inclusive HD channels depends on package.
ITV HD is subject to regional variation. ITV HD is not available where STV HD or UTV HD is available.
Premium channels (add-ons): 30 days’ notice required to remove premium channels/packs. Sky Sports SD subscription required to take Sky Sports channels in HD.
Sky Sports HD channels: Sky Sports HD channels £7 per month when subscribing to Sky Sports SD channels.
Sky Sports apps: Only available via the Sky Sports websites or apps (for selected iOS and Android mobiles and tablets) to customers who subscribe to these channels. UK only. Maximum 2 devices. Only available on iOS 8 and above, and Android 4.x. Selected content may not be available to view. Separate terms and conditions apply to the Sky Sports apps and websites.