The BBC has reached an agreement with Uefa to broadcast all live World Cup qualifiers for the men’s teams of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. This follows the departure of Viaplay from the UK market, leaving Scotland's matches in uncertainty after previously airing on Premier Sports and Skt Sports.
The deal covers a total of 41 live matches, including Scotland’s Nations League play-off against Greece later this month. The BBC will also share coverage of the 2026 World Cup, held in the United States, Canada and Mexico, with ITV, which retains rights to England's matches leading up to the tournament. This arrangement means all Home Nations football matches will be available on free-to-air television.
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.” The matches will be broadcast on BBC One in each nation and BBC iPlayer, with key matches shown on network television across the UK.