ITV to show England’s 2026 World Cup opener, BBC bets on knockout rounds December 10, 2025 ITV will show England’s opening match of the 2026 World Cup against Croatia after it and the BBC confirmed their allocations for the tournament. All 104 matches will be broadcast on free-to-air television in the UK, with the BBC and ITV sharing the fixtures and both showing the final on 19 July. While ITV has [...]
The politics behind the 2026 Fifa World Cup draw and schedule December 9, 2025 By the time the Village People walked out on stage to close the 2026 Fifa World Cup draw, to the delight of US President Donald Trump and Fifa chief Gianni Infantino, many fans’ thoughts had already turned to who their team would be playing and when. And when the full schedule was confirmed 24 hours [...]
Salah’s Egypt and Iran will contest a ‘pride match’ at 2026 Fifa World Cup December 8, 2025 The 2026 Fifa World Cup match between Egypt and Iran has been designated as host city Seattle’s “pride match”. Homosexuality is illegal in both Egypt and Iran but the local organising committee in host city Seattle – the Seattle Pride Match Advisory Committee, which is not affiliated with Fifa – has said the match on [...]
Icons, purpose and gastronomy: How brands can win at the 2026 World Cup December 7, 2025 The Fifa men’s World Cup is more than a tournament, it’s becoming the most glamorous, immersive and culturally defining sporting event of the decade. With 48 teams, three host nations, and a projected $17bn economic impact, the scale of the World Cup is staggering. And in true American style, Fifa has even announced the 2026 [...]
World Cup has found ‘right number’ by expanding to 48 teams, says Wenger December 5, 2025 Arsene Wenger insists that Fifa has found the “right number” by expanding the World Cup to 48 teams for the first time in 2026. The former Arsenal manager, now Fifa’s chief of global football development, has long been among the most vocal supporters for the expansion. Critics argue that the move makes the tournament too [...]
World Cup draw: Why Scotland have bookmakers running scared December 5, 2025 Scottish success is the result that bookmakers fear the most ahead of today’s 2026 World Cup draw, William Hill has said. Scotland booked their return to football’s biggest event, ending a 28-year absence, with a dramatic win over Denmark last month. Steve Clarke’s team are 125-1 outsiders to lift the World Cup but that hasn’t [...]
Pubs to stay open until 1am if Home Nations reach Fifa World Cup knockouts December 4, 2025 Pubs will stay open until 1am if England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland reach the final stages of the 2026 Fifa World Cup. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood confirmed that “the party won’t end before the final whistle is blown”, adding that “if any [home] nation reaches the final stages, we will extend licensing hours”. The [...]
Nutella owners plan $100m World Cup and Super Bowl marketing spree October 10, 2025 Nutella owner Ferrero will spend over $100m on marketing campaigns related to the Fifa World Cup and 2026 Super Bowl. The confectioner, founded in Italy but based in Luxembourg, has been in the United States for decades but is looking to surge into the North American sports sector. The United States will co-host the 2026 [...]
Non-league football clubs set for World Cup windfall from Fifa September 16, 2025 Non-league football clubs are set for financial windfalls after changes were made to the way Fifa distributes its compensation for the release of international players for the World Cup. The changes, agreed by Fifa and the European Club Association, mean that all teams who release players for the 2026 World Cup or its qualifiers will [...]
BBC on hunt for Fifa World Cup host after Lineker exit May 19, 2025 The BBC are on the hunt for a new face for their 2026 Fifa World Cup coverage after Match Of The Day star Gary Lineker departed the broadcaster a year early. Lineker, the 64-year-old who was the BBC’s highest paid presenter, has apologised “unreservedly” for an Instagram video he shared about Zionism which included an [...]