The BBC has agreed an exclusive deal to broadcast live coverage of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland’s men’s international football matches in the coming years.
- Move secures coverage of World Cup 2026 qualifiers on free-to-air TV platforms.
- Follows Viaplay’s departure from the UK.
- There had been concern from fans after international football was put behind a paywall when Viaplay originally won the rights.
The BBC has announced it’s 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 between the BBC and UEFA follows the exit of Viaplay from the UK market, who had previously hoovered up the broadcast rights of these games for pay TV viewers only.
Football fans in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland were upset by the paywall, pointing out that England fans were still able to watch international qualifiers on free-to-air platforms. Before Viaplay exited the UK, it had struck a deal with S4C allowing Welsh men’s football fans to access some games. And last March, the BBC sublicensed a number of Scotland games from Viaplay.
What’s covered by the deal?
The BBC’s deal to cover Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland men’s international games in the run up to the 2026 World Cup is separate to ITV’s deal covering England.
It includes 41 live matches over the next fifteen months – starting with this month’s international ties. It’s the first time the BBC has secured live television rights for all three of the UK’s devolved nations.
Where will live Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland games be available on TV and streaming?
BBC One’s national feeds will carry live coverage alongside the BBC iPlayer. Viewers in other parts of the UK can also access other BBC One feeds on Sky, Freesat, Freely and Virgin Media. This means a Scotland fan in Sheffield can for example, access BBC One Scotland on any of the above platforms or watch on iPlayer. Viewers in the respective nations can also follow the action on Freeview.
It is not possible to watch via Freeview if you’re out of range of Freeview transmitters serving Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. However, you can press red on Freeview Play TVs to watch on iPlayer.
Corporate comment
In response to the deal, Rhodri Talfan Davies, Director of BBC Nations, commented:
“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.”
By: Marc Thornham