BBC or ITV? Inside how World Cup broadcast picks are made
The 2026 World Cup is under way - but how do the BBC and ITV decide who shows which matches on TV?
BBC had the first pick for 2026 World Cup matches
With so many World Cup matches to watch it can be hard to keep up with the schedule and whether a game is on the BBC or ITV.
You might also have wondered how broadcasters agree which matches they get to show in the first place.
It's not an easy process for TV executives tasked with the job of working this out.
In the UK, the BBC and ITV have screened football's global showpiece together since 1966. Two years ago they agreed a deal to share live coverage again in 2026 and 2030, ensuring the World Cup remained on free-to-air television.
The two broadc…
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