BBC and ITV are the World Cup TV and Online streaming rights holders in United Kingdom. Both the channels are public funded and free-to-air in the UK and they will be sharing the World Cup coverage in the country from 20th November to 18th December. 32 World Cup matches will be on each channel and they have already announced their picks and TV schedule for group stages. Below is the entire TV schedule for World Cup on both BBC and ITV.
Content Summary
BBC & ITV World Cup TV Schedule (Confirmed)
There will be a total of 64 World Cup matches and both BBC and ITV will produce live coverage for 32 matches each. Of the 48 group games, 24 will be on BBC and 24 on ITV. The knockout TV schedule will be announced before the last set of group games.
BBC and ITV Online Streaming For World Cup:
Both BBC and ITV will produce coverage on their traditional TV channels as well as via their online platforms called “BBC iplayer” and “ITV Hub”. Obviously they can only show the games live online which falls under their TV picks.
Both online platforms can be accessed for absolutely free in the UK. People from outside the UK can access these streams as well if they can change their IP address to UK. We have done in-depth guides on how to unlock both streaming platforms from outside the UK.
How To Unlock From Outside the UK
BBC & ITV World Cup TV Picks & Schedule:
| DATE | MATCH | CHANNEL |
|---|---|---|
| 20 November | World Cup Opening Ceremony | BBC |
| 20 November | Qatar vs Ecuador (Group A) | BBC |
| 21 November | Senegal vs Netherlands (Group A) | ITV |
| 21 November | England vs Iran (Group B) | BBC |
| 21 November | USA vs Wales (Group B) | ITV |
| 22 November | Argentina vs Saudi Arabia (Group C) | ITV |
| 22 November | Denmark vs Tunisia (Group D) | ITV |
| 22 November | Mexico vs Poland (Group C) | BBC |
| 22 November | France vs Australia (Group D) | BBC |
| 23 November | Croatia vs Morocco (Group E) | ITV |
| 23 November | Germany vs Japan (Group F) | ITV |
| 23 November | Spain vs Costa Rica (Group F) | ITV |
| 23 November | Belgium vs Canada (Group E) | BBC |
| 24 November | Switzerland vs Cameroon (Group H) | ITV |
| 24 November | Uruguay vs South Korea (Group G) | BBC |
| 24 November | Portugal vs Ghana (Group G) | ITV |
| 24 November | Brazil vs Serbia (Group H) | BBC |
| 25 November | Wales vs Iran (Group B) | BBC |
| 25 November | Qatar vs Senegal (Group A) | BBC |
| 25 November | Netherlands vs Ecuador (Group A) | ITV |
| 25 November | England vs USA (Group B) | ITV |
| 26 November | Tunisia vs Australia (Group D) | BBC |
| 26 November | Poland vs Saudi Arabia (Group C) | ITV |
| 26 November | France vs Denmark (Group D) | ITV |
| 26 November | Argentina vs Mexico (Group C) | ITV |
| 27 November | Japan vs Costa Rica (Group E) | ITV |
| 27 November | Morocco vs Belgium (Group E) | BBC |
| 27 November | Croatia vs Canada (Group F) | BBC |
| 27 November | Spain vs Germany (Group F) | BBC |
| 28 November | Cameroon vs Serbia (Group H) | ITV |
| 28 November | South Korea vs Ghana (Group G) | BBC |
| 28 November | Brazil vs Switzerland (Group H) | ITV |
| 28 November | Portugal vs Uruguay (Group G) | ITV |
| 29 November | Ecuador vs Senegal (Group A) | ITV |
| 29 November | Netherlands vs Qatar (Group A) | ITV |
| 29 November | Iran vs United States (Group B) | BBC |
| 29 November | Wales vs England (Group B) | BBC |
| 30 November | Tunisia vs France (Group D) | BBC |
| 30 November | Australia vs Denmark (Group D) | BBC |
| 30 November | Poland vs Argentina (Group C) | BBC |
| 30 November | Saudi Arabia vs Mexico (Group C) | BBC |
| 01 December | Canada vs Morocco (Group E) | BBC |
| 01 December | Croatia vs Belgium (Group E) | BBC |
| 01 December | Spain vs Japan (Group F) | ITV |
| 01 December | Germany vs Costa Rica (Group F) | ITV |
| 02 December | Ghana vs Uruguay (Group G) | BBC |
| 02 December | South Korea vs Portugal (Group G) | BBC |
| 02 December | Serbia vs Switzerland (Group H) | ITV |
| 02 December | Brazil vs Cameroon (Group H) | ITV |
World Cup Knockout Round TV Schedule:
As the matchups for knockouts are not confirmed yet obviously, the picks for knockouts will be announced on the last set of group games. ITV will pick the first knockout tie which means they will probably go with England round of 16 match if they do qualify. While BBC has the picks for both Quarterfinals and the Semifinals. Both channels will broadcast the World Cup final.
| DATE | MATCH | CHANNEL |
|---|---|---|
| 03-06 December | Round of 16 Matches | to be announced |
| 07-08 December | Quarterfinal | to be announced |
| 13-14 December | Semifinals | to be announced |
| 18 December | World Cup Final | Both (BBC & ITV) |