When the World Cup kicks off on 11 June across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, it will be the biggest tournament in the competition's history — and the BBC is pulling out all the stops to bring every moment to life. With 48 teams competing for the first time instead of the traditional 32, a record 104 matches will take place over five weeks, and the British public will have unprecedented access to watch, listen, and engage with the action.
The scale of BBC coverage reflects the magnitude of the tournament. Fifty-four matches will be broadcast live on BBC One and Two, including the final on 19 July, with every game available in UHD on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and app. For those who prefer radio, all 104 games will have live commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds — a commitment that underscores how the broadcaster is treating this expanded World Cup. England's group matches against Ghana and every stage of their knockout run will be televised, alongside Scotland's games against Haiti and Brazil, ensuring the home nations get comprehensive coverage.
But the innovation extends far beyond traditional broadcasting. The BBC is introducing a groundbreaking 3D match experience on its website that lets viewers control camera angles, rewatch goals from their favourite player's perspective, and watch tactics unfold in real time with side-by-side stats and player data. This shifts the viewer from a passive observer into an active participant, able to explore the game at their own pace. For those who catch matches mid-flow, chapters mark the best moments to jump in instantly, while peak-time games offer the option of BBC Radio 5 Live commentary via the Red Button, iPlayer, and website — a flexibility that recognizes modern viewing habits.
The audio offerings are equally ambitious. Rick Edwards will present live from Los Angeles for 5 Live Breakfast during the tournament, while Football Daily will release a podcast every morning at 06:00 BST. Weekly episodes of The Wayne Rooney Show and a returning 606 will deepen the analysis and fan conversation. BBC Radio Scotland is launching a daily podcast alongside YouTube live shows throughout the group stages, with special editions of programmes like Off the Ball and Breaking the News originating from host cities. Even BBC World Service is stepping in with a Global World Cup podcast three times weekly, reaching more than 66 million listeners on radio and online from locations across the tournament.
Online, the experience becomes even richer. All 104 matches will have live text commentary on the BBC website, even for the 03:00 BST kick-offs catering to night owls. A new "Shorts" video tab in the BBC Sport app delivers bite-sized highlights, sharp analysis, and exclusive behind-the-scenes access. Highlights of every single match will be available on BBC iPlayer, the new BBC Football YouTube channel, TikTok, and the website, acknowledging that fans now consume football across multiple platforms and at their own pace.
The BBC Sport website will host a daily live page from 07:00 BST with reaction, talking points, and colour from the tournament, plus a World Cup predictor game and a "name the player" daily quiz offering fans a chance to win signed footballs. Throughout, England and Scotland fans can plot their nations' routes to the final, turning the experience into something participatory and personal. After two years without a World Cup, this expansion to 48 teams and these innovations ensure that this summer in North America will feel unmissable.