The BBC has agreed an exclusive deal to broadcast Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland men’s international football matches in the run-up to the FIFA Men’s World Cup 2026.
The deal, agreed with UEFA, includes 41 live matches over the next 15 months – starting with this month’s international ties.
It marks the first time the BBC has secured live television rights for all three of the UK’s devolved nations.
The matches will be shown on BBC One in each nation and BBC iPlayer – with key fixtures also being broadcast on network television across the UK.
The deal means all four home nations’ football matches will be available on free-to-air television in the UK. ITV has a separate contract with UEFA for England’s home and away internationals. Welsh-language broadcaster S4C has a similar deal for Wales games, with coverage also available on BBC iPlayer.
Nordic group Viaplay previously acquired the rights to all UEFA men’s internationals not involving England, but withdrew from the UK market before the deal came into effect.
Rhodri Talfan Davies, Director of BBC Nations, said: “I’m absolutely delighted that fans across Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will now be able to enjoy live, free-to-air coverage of all the big international football matches. Nothing fires the imagination more than live international sport and the race to qualify for the world’s biggest tournament. It’s going to be quite a ride and I’m thrilled the BBC will be there every step of the way.”
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