Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland Qualifiers Airing on BBC

Football fans across Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland will be able to watch their national teams’ World Cup qualifiers live on the BBC, following a new broadcast deal with UEFA, which ensures all 41 matches featuring the men’s teams from these nations will be available on free-to-air television.

The deal also includes international friendlies and Scotland’s Nations League play-off against Greece later this month.

Matches will be shown on BBC One in each respective nation, as well as BBC iPlayer, while key fixtures will also be aired on BBC network television across the UK, ensuring broader access for fans.

Commenting on the deal, director of BBC nations, Rhodri Talfan Davies, 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,” Davis said.

With the 2026 FIFA World Cup expanding to 48 teams, this coverage offers supporters an exciting opportunity to follow their teams’ journey towards the tournament, which will take place across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

The new arrangement complements the existing live international football coverage provided by BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Ulster, BBC Radio Scotland, BBC Radio Cymru, and the BBC Sport app.

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