The BBC and ITV will split the 2026 World Cup’s round‑of‑32 coverage evenly, each airing eight of the sixteen knockout games. After the group stage ends early Sunday morning (BST), the first knockout match – Canada versus South Africa – kicks off at 20:00 BST. Broadcasters must lock in their line‑ups once the match‑ups are confirmed.

BBC gets the first pick once the fixtures are officially released, a process that often runs late because many line‑ups remain unknown until the group stage closes. The initial match starts roughly 15 hours after the final group game, forcing both networks to reshuffle pre‑planned schedules at short notice. A BBC spokesperson warned of a “very long Sunday” of confirmations.

The round of 32 runs from 28 June to 4 July (BST), giving fans a week of knockout drama. With equal airtime, ITV will fill the remaining eight slots, matching BBC’s schedule and ensuring nationwide access to all key fixtures. The tight timetable means any last‑minute changes will ripple through primetime line‑ups, testing both broadcasters’ flexibility.

Viewers can expect simultaneous broadcasts on free‑to‑air channels, while subscription services will mirror the same eight matches per network, preserving the split and avoiding blackout complaints.