Photo Credit: fifg – stock.adobe.com
The FIFA World Cup is heading to North America in 2026, with the tournament set to be played across the United States, Mexico and Canada.
We are still a fair bit away from the showpiece, but anticipation is nearing a fever pitch, especially for fans across the United Kingdom (UK) and Ireland.
The 2026 World Cup will be the first to include 48 teams, and the expansion paves the way for more nations to join the competition.
That means there is a decent chance that all five teams from the UK & Ireland – England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland – could compete in the tournament.
If all five teams make it, fans across these nations will be glued to their screens for what could be one of the most captivating World Cup competitions ever.
World Cup Broadcast Rights in the UK & Ireland
FIFA has opened its tender process for the broadcast rights to the 2026 World Cup in the UK and Ireland.
The World Cup is the most watched sporting event in the world, and with the tournament expanding from 32 to 48 teams, there will be more games for broadcasters to cover.
When it comes to watching live sports in the UK, ITV and BBC are the go-to options. Both platforms jointly covered the 2018 and 2022 World Cups and are in pole position to do the same in 2026.
Fans in Ireland should be able to watch the World Cup on RTE, which is usually selected to broadcast major international tournaments.
Given the nature of the tournament, viewership is expected to rise, and so will the competition for broadcast rights.
However, RTE solely covered the last two World Cup tournaments and will likely make a similar move for the upcoming showpiece.
They have a long-standing relationship with FIFA, and their experience in broadcasting major tournaments should tip the scales in their favour.
Betting on the World Cup: Keeping it Safe & Legal
Betting is a major part of sports, so the World Cup will undoubtedly draw plenty of attention from punters across the UK and Ireland.
If you plan to bet during the tournament, it is important to remember a few key things to ensure you are doing so safely.
Make sure to use betting sites that are licensed and regulated in the UK and Ireland. Both regions have regulatory bodies that ensure betting sites operate responsibly and also help to protect your personal data.
If you are using new betting sites in Ireland, pay particular attention to the licensing and regulatory information which is generally advertised at the bottom of the homepage.
Several new operators have launched sportsbooks in Ireland, so it is imperative to ensure they are fully licensed before you make a deposit.
Live Streaming Options: VPNs & Overseas Access
With more games coming to the World Cup, there is a decent chance that fans may want to stream a match that is not available via their local broadcasters.
That’s where live streaming comes in, and fans in the UK and Ireland are spoiled for choice when it comes to accessing live streams to watch World Cup games.
If the games you want to watch are not available on the BBC, ITV or RTE, you can still watch them through foreign outlets using Virtual Private Network (VPN) software.
A VPN allows you to access content from other countries by masking the IP address of your device and making it appear as if you are accessing the internet from another location.
That means that if a broadcaster in another country has the right to show a match that is unavailable in your region, you can use a VPN to access that live stream.
For example, you can use a VPN to watch matches on foreign platforms such as Fox Sports in the United States or TSN in Canada, which should also be covering the World Cup.
You can unlock those streams by connecting to a server in the US or Canada through your VPN and enjoy the match as if you are watching the game in those countries.
Frankie Wilde – is a content writer at various gambling sites. Also, he is a passionate traveler and a great cook. Frankie shares informative articles with the world.
