FIFA World Cup 2026 on the BBC - meet the lineup and find out how to follow coverage across TV, radio and BBC Sport online

With cutting-edge technology, always-on digital coverage, and a slate of new shows and formats on iPlayer and YouTube, the BBC is making the World Cup more accessible, more interactive, and more engaging than ever for audiences across the UK.

The wait is almost over. The FIFA World Cup 2026 is about to begin - bigger, bolder and more iconic than ever before. With 48 teams competing across a record breaking 104 matches, this is the largest World Cup in history and a tournament set to redefine the global game before a ball has even been kicked.

The BBC will broadcast 54 matches live on TV, but audiences will be able to follow all 104 matches across the BBC’s digital platforms. Across TV, iPlayer, 5 Live, BBC Sounds, the BBC Sport website & app, the brand-new BBC Sport Football YouTube channel and across socials, BBC Sport will deliver an unrivalled, unmatched and uninterrupted World Cup experience that audiences can’t find anywhere else.

Alongside live match coverage and expert analysis across TV, radio and the BBC Sport website and app, FIFA World Cup 2026 marks a major evolution in how audiences experience the tournament digitally.

For the first time ever, BBC Sport will deliver always-on World Cup coverage across YouTube, TikTok and social channels - from live match streaming, alternative second screen watch-alongs and instant post-match reaction to interactive technology, new digital first shows and immersive VR experiences following every England and Scotland match.

Audiences can also expect on the ground storytelling and insight from across the host nations, alongside cutting-edge technology designed to bring fans closer to the action than ever before. Real-time graphics, advanced on-screen analytics and instant tactical breakdowns will create a richer, more interactive and more immersive World Cup experience for audiences across the UK.

And that’s just the beginning...

Alex Kay-Jelski, BBC Director of Sport, says: “The BBC is turning the biggest World Cup in history into the most iconic one yet. We’re bringing fans closer to every match, every moment and every story than ever before. Sport truly unites people like nothing else, especially football, so we can’t wait for fans to enjoy not just the live matches with us but an abundance of football content, all day, every day across our platforms. Whether it’s our new series on YouTube, the biggest news stories on the ground, our daily podcasts on Sounds or the viral moments on social media – we’re here for audiences 24/7 this summer, taking them straight to heart of the World Cup.”

Louise Thornton, Head of Commissioning, BBC Scotland, says: “It's going to be thrilling to see the national team back on football’s biggest stage after 28 years – a moment that’s sure to bring huge pride and excitement right across the country.

“At BBC Scotland, we’re rolling out a brilliant mix of content to match that buzz. Our sport teams will have every kick and talking point of Scotland's campaign covered across television, radio and online.

'Beyond outstanding reporting and analysis of the matches, we're also bringing audiences a wide range of content from comprehensive news coverage, documentaries that tell the stories behind the big names and moments, to comedy that celebrates the highs, lows and quirks of football fandom. It promises to be a memorable footballing journey, and BBC Scotland will be bringing audiences all the content that matters from start to finish.'

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How to follow the FIFA World Cup 2026

From Thursday 11 June, BBC Sport will bring the FIFA World Cup 2026 to audiences across more platforms than ever.

With 54 matches live on BBC TV and iPlayer in stunning UHD, extensive live coverage across BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds, and live pages for all 104 matches on the BBC Sport website and app, the BBC will deliver a truly comprehensive live tournament experience throughout the summer.

BBC Scotland Sport’s teams also follow every kick of the ball across all platforms as the national team returns to the World Cup.

For the first time, audiences will also be able to watch the build-up and the opening 10 minutes of many of the tournament’s biggest matches and all the BBC’s home nations fixtures live across BBC Football’s YouTube and TikTok channels - expanding access to World Cup coverage for digital-first audiences wherever they are.

Across television, audio, digital and social platforms, BBC Sport will be the home of the summer’s biggest football moments.

Follow live on TV and BBC iPlayer

Our blockbuster schedule of live TV matches includes England’s group stage meeting with Ghana and England’s knockout games in the round of 32, round of 16 and semi-final, if they progress, along with Scotland’s opener and final group match against Haiti and Brazil respectively. Fans can also enjoy a packed schedule of heavyweight group fixtures on the BBC featuring Argentina, France, Brazil, Spain, Germany and more. As the competition heats up, there are fixtures from every knockout round plus the final on Sunday 19 July.

Kelly Cates, Mark Chapman, Gabby Logan and Alex Scott front BBC Sport’s TV coverage throughout the tournament. Broadcasting from BBC Sport’s home in Salford, a brand new, state of the art immersive studio will transport viewers to 16 cities across three host nations – Canada, Mexico and the USA.

They’re joined by an unrivalled line up of football royalty, including former England stars Alan Shearer, Wayne Rooney, Micah Richards, Joe Hart, Paul Robinson, Steph Houghton, Ellen White and Danny Murphy. Representing Scotland are Scott Brown, Rachel Corsie and James McFadden, while World Cup winner Olivier Giroud, Gaël Clichy, César Azpilicueta, Benni McCarthy, Ashley Williams and Thomas Frank add global insight and international edge. Former international referee Darren Cann completes the team, bringing expert analysis from the heart of the game.

On the ground at matches and at the heart of the England and Scotland camps, Kelly Somers and Eilidh Barbour bring viewers the latest news, reaction and behind-the-scenes access throughout the tournament.

World-class commentary comes from Guy Mowbray, Steve Wilson, Steve Bower, Jonathan Pearce, Robyn Cowen, Steven Wyeth and Liam McLeod, with Alan Shearer, Danny Murphy, Stephen Warnock, Efan Ekoku, Martin Keown, Sue Smith, Rachel Corsie, James McFadden and Paul Robinson providing expert co commentary. Alternative BBC Radio 5 Live commentary will also be available on selected BBC TV fixtures whilst an Audio Description service (AD) will be made available for the first time on all TV Live games to assist the blind or partially sighted community.

In Scotland, the excitement kicks off on 6 June when Scotland take on Bolivia in New Jersey for the final warm-up match before the start of the FIFA World Cup 2026. BBC One Scotland and iPlayer have live coverage as audiences get the chance to see how the team is shaping up.

Follow live on Radio and BBC Sounds

Kelly Cates and Mark Chapman join Steve Crossman to lead BBC Radio 5 Live’s World Cup coverage. Across the tournament, the team will bring listeners 92 live commentaries and coverage of all 104 matches, powered by some of the most trusted and respected voices in the game.

Commentary is led by John Murray, Ian Dennis, Alistair Bruce Ball, Vicki Sparks and Jonathan Pearce, alongside expert analysis from Chris Sutton, Dion Dublin, Paul Robinson, Pat Nevin, Sue Smith, Clinton Morrison, Rachel Corsie and Efan Ekoku. Former internationals Conor Coady, Steph Houghton and Kris Boyd are regular voices on England and Scotland matches, delivering insight and in depth analysis, while Olivier Giroud, César Azpilicueta, Thomas Frank and Gaël Clichy also feature as 5 Live’s World Cup team unpacks the tournament’s biggest talking points.

Alasdair Lamont is commentating on all of Scotland’s group matches for both 5 Live and BBC Radio Scotland, with Pat Nevin joining him in the commentary box for every game. Kenny Macintyre presents radio coverage with Sportsound on BBC Radio Scotland, joined by a range of guests.

There are live Scottish Gaelic commentaries of Scotland’s three group games on BBC Radio nan Gàidheal and BBC Sounds with commentary from Alasdair MacLennan.

Follow live Online

Follow the FIFA World Cup 2026 live on the BBC Sport website, app, YouTube & across social media

Supercharging how fans experience the tournament, BBC Sport will live stream build-up and the opening 10 minutes of its biggest matches on BBC Football’s YouTube and TikTok channels for the first time ever - giving audiences more ways to follow the action live, wherever they are.

Fans can get even closer to every live BBC TV match through a new interactive 3D experience on the BBC Sport website and app. This innovative feature incorporates a new kind of technology for UK audiences which puts them in control. It allows viewers into the game to explore every angle, rewind key moments, switch cameras and watch tactics unfold in real time, powered by live data. A second screen option that offers deeper insight and even greater control.

For instant updates, analysis and fan reaction there are live coverage pages of all 104 matches on the BBC Sport website and app, including in-game clips of all BBC matches. For the first time in a major tournament, fans can join the discussion in real time during every game with our new live comments feature. Audiences can continue the debate during the day with the World Cup daily live pages that will analyse the key talking points, teams and personalities. Stats and insights on teams and players go deeper than ever, and of course, BBC Sport and BBC Sport Scotland serve up the tournament’s most iconic moments across TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and X - giving fans unmissable clips to watch, share and get talking about.

Football 24/7

Football fever won’t stop at the final whistle, with BBC Sport delivering round-the-clock coverage throughout the tournament. From new digital first debate shows, instant post match analysis and must listen podcasts, to match highlights, an interactive predictor game and daily quizzes, fans can dive into the action whenever and however they want. Here’s everything you need to know.

Football 24/7: on BBC iPlayer and BBC Football YouTube

For audiences not ready for the conversation to end at full-time, BBC Sport has them covered. Every England and Scotland game rolls straight into instant reaction with BBC Sport’s top pundits breaking it all down, calling it how it is, and getting into the moments everyone’s debating.

Missed something? Or just want to relive it again (and again)? BBC Sport is dropping highlights from every single match so audiences are always across the moments that matter. Catch all the post-match reaction and highlights on BBC iPlayer, or dive in via the BBC Sport website and app.

And it doesn’t stop there... The brand new BBC Football YouTube channel is serving fresh content all tournament long. New voices, new shows, bold takes, behind-the-scenes energy and a different way to experience the game.

SV2 vs. The World sees players repping World Cup nations in a series of iconic moment inspired challenges, led by our host SV2. 48 players, only one winner. This high-impact, three-part original series will whet the appetite of fans ahead of the tournament kicking off.

Game Changers is a rapid football analysis show unpacking the key moments that decide matches, focusing on what happened, and more importantly why. Two BBC journalists or pundits with contrasting, insightful perspectives drive this sharp, debate-led format. Episodes cover both previews and post-match analysis, as part of this new, reactive format.

Group Chat sees fans, creators, BBC pundits and acclaimed football voices put their reputations on the line over the game’s biggest takes. In each episode they debate a controversial World Cup claim, sparking chaos in the group, before someone has to step up and own it. They must be fast and reactive or risk being sent off.

Find everything you’re looking for and more on BBC iPlayer’s Wold Cup page.

Football 24/7: on BBC Radio and BBC Sounds

Away from live match commentary, BBC Radio 5 Live sits right at the heart of the World Cup – capturing the colour, atmosphere and energy from the cities hosting the tournament.

Each morning from 6am, Rick Edwards broadcasts live from Los Angeles, unpacking the overnight drama and delivering the latest analysis from across the Atlantic. From 1pm-3pm, Mark Chapman and Steve Crossman take over live from the USA, building towards the evening’s action from the buzz and backdrop of a classic New York diner.

And when the final whistle blows on the biggest fixtures, 5 Live’s iconic 606 takes centre stage – the home of fast paced, fan driven debate, with the audience at its heart.

On BBC Radio Scotland, Amy Irons and Steven Mill follow Scotland’s World Cup journey from the heart of the action, bringing listeners special editions of The Saturday Show around every Scotland match. Broadcasting live from Boston, the programme features exclusive access, big-name guests and immediate reaction, alongside bespoke behind-the-scenes content across BBC Radio Scotland’s social channels.

From Saturday 6 June, Grant Stott and Arlene Stuart provide the soundtrack to the tournament with Yes Sir, We Can Boogie, celebrating the songs, stories and spirit of Scotland’s World Cup campaign. Meanwhile, Tam Cowan and Stuart Cosgrove deliver their trademark take on the tournament’s biggest talking points with special World Cup editions of Off the Ball throughout the group stage.

And there’s more to come, with iconic comedy show Only An Excuse? returning for a landmark World Cup special, marking 40 years since the satirical favourite first launched on BBC Radio Scotland. Audiences can also look forward to a special World Cup edition of Breaking the News during the group stage.

Podcasts

The Football Daily podcast continues to be the go to destination for football analysis, reaction and debate, and throughout the World Cup, fans can expect daily episodes on BBC Sounds, with visualised clips available on the BBC Football YouTube channel. Each morning, Rick Edwards teams up with comedian, actor and sports presenter Lloyd Griffith to break down the latest stories.

The Wayne Rooney Show drops twice weekly episodes throughout the tournament, where trio Wayne Rooney, Kelly Somers and Kae Kurd chat to the biggest names in football and react to the key moments on the pitch. All episodes are available to watch and listen to on iPlayer, Sounds and on the BBC Sport Football YouTube channel.

Everyone’s favourite Sunday league manager Steve Bracknall is getting involved with six World Cup specials of Games Gone: The Steve Bracknall Podcast, plus reaction to home nations games.

Jonathan Sutherland hosts a daily Scotland World Cup podcast on BBC Sounds, iPlayer and YouTube, with all the latest from the USA during the tournament.

On BBC Radio nan Gàidheal and Sounds sports podcast Spòrscast previews and dissects all of Scotland’s matches throughout the competition. Tadhal, a new informal and entertaining visualised podcast focusing on Scotland’s participation in the World Cup, is also available on BBC ALBA’s YouTube page.

Football 24/7: on the BBC Sport website, app and across social media

The BBC Sport website and app has teams of reporters both on the ground and in Salford bringing the biggest stories and talking points from across the tournament, all day, every day. England icon Alan Shearer brings on the ground perspective from inside the host cities, sports editor Dan Roan delivers the tournament's most significant news stories, senior football correspondent Sami Mokbel provides exclusive updates from within England camp, and digital reporter Sam Harris captures the authentic fan experience - the passion, the energy, the exhilaration.

For fans that want to challenge their own footballing knowledge, BBC Sport launches Football Predictor, an interactive game where you predict the results for that day's matches and also have the chance to enter a prize giveaway draw.

The BBC Sport website and app also feature plenty of challenging quizzes to keep you entertained inbetween matches, including a daily Who am I? brainteaser featuring a host of World Cup stars from tournaments gone by.

Finally, this summer, BBC Sport partners with Goal Click for the first time to bring raw, first person fan storytelling to its World Cup coverage. From the stands to the streets, audiences experience the tournament through the eyes of supporters living it – capturing football in its purest, most human form.

By following fans from across the world both at the tournament and back in their home countries, the series delivers powerful, fan shot social content that celebrates the rituals, journeys, emotion and shared moments that make the FIFA World Cup a global cultural phenomenon.

The BBC Sport app is also introducing an all-new ‘Shorts’ video experience - a new way for fans to follow every twist and turn of the tournament through bite-sized highlights, sharp analysis, explainers and exclusive behind-the-scenes access, all in a fast-paced vertical feed designed for the way audiences watch sport today.

Users will be able to choose their BBC Sport app experience by choosing whether the new Shorts feed or the traditional homepage becomes their default landing page putting fans in control of how they follow the action.

The launch is part of BBC Sport’s wider transformation ambition of the app experience, as it continues to evolve for the next generation of sports audiences.

BBC Scotland’s news teams are with Scotland fans every step of the way, both at home and in North America. News programming from Radio Scotland Breakfast to Reporting Scotland, and across online and digital platforms, are at the heart of the action. Amy Irons also anchors special editions of Reporting Scotland on location in North America.

Additional programming

BBC World Service

BBC World Service brings extensive coverage across all 48 teams of the 2026 World Cup, broadcasting live across the US and Canada, debating the key global talking points, sharing expert insight and untold stories across the globe. From newcomers Curacao to World Cup winners Argentina, from Uzbekistan’s star player to whether Morocco will become the first African country to reach a World Cup final.

Isaac Fanin presents Newsday from Los Angeles and Vancouver every weekday, with Lee James, Delyth Lloyd and John Bennett taking Sportsworld and World Service’s global World Cup podcast on tour across New York, Toronto and Philadelphia capturing the colour, drama and stand out stories across the biggest ever men’s World Cup, which includes a record 10 nations from Africa.

BBC Sport documentaries

For fans craving deeper storytelling or wishing to revisit classic World Cup moments, BBC Sport offers a collection of World Cup documentaries on BBC iPlayer and Sounds.

England 2006: The Golden Generation captures the moment when football, fame and the media collided - and asks why England’s most gifted collection of players could never live up to the name. Through the voices of those at the heart of it, this landmark documentary revisits a World Cup that still provokes disbelief and debate. Rio Ferdinand, Wayne Rooney, Ashley Cole, Owen Hargreaves and goalkeeper Paul Robinson reflect on the pressure they faced and why a star-studded squad failed to deliver on football’s biggest stage.

Rivals: Messi v Ronaldo is the inside story of how the rivalry between two of global football's most iconic players, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, changed the game forever.

BBC Scotland

In the run-up to the Finals there are specially commissioned programmes to warm up the audience.

Scottish football superfan and one of the UK’s most critically acclaimed comedians Kevin Bridges is undertaking an international journey to examine the contemporary state of football and its cultural significance. Kevin Bridges: In Search of the Beautiful Game - sees the comedian travelling to locations including Brazil, Scotland and the USA, exploring how football is experienced across different communities and environments. It's available to watch on BBC Scotland and BBC One.

There’s also an extra episode of Icons of Scottish Football, featuring veteran international goalkeeper, Craig Gordon, plus Serie A Scots short films featuring Scotland stars Lewis Ferguson, Billy Gilmour and Scott McTominay looking ahead to the World Cup, which are available on iPlayer now.

Presenter Q&A

This is going to be the biggest World Cup ever with more teams taking part across more matches, how do you think this might influence tactics?

Olivier Giroud: With 48 teams and the fact that eight of the 12-third placed teams will qualify, I think this changes a lot. Many teams will realise that with just one win and a decent goal difference, that could be enough to get them through the group stages. There will be more hope for the underdogs. I think then as a consequence the less fancied nations will be even more cautious than before in their opening matches. Tactics wise you will see them playing maybe low blocks and protecting draws instead of chasing wins, especially against big teams. Coaches might prioritise a ‘don’t lose' mentality over a ‘must win’ mindset. The perfect example of this is perhaps Morocco in the 2022 World Cup. Even though they had a great generation with talented players, nobody expected them to reach the semi final. They beat Spain and Portugal in the knockout games by playing in transition and with a great defensive organisation.

Ellen White: We might see more changes game by game and perhaps maximum numbers of subs happening per game. Potentially more teams playing a low block and trying to catch teams on the transition / counter attack. I think we might see more draws in the group stage as more teams can qualify for the knockout stage so therefore teams being harder to break down.

Conor Coady: I think a huge part of this World Cup is going to be conserving energy as much as you possibly can, whether that be controlling the tempo of the game with the ball and breathing with it which means when you lose it you have more energy to react or if your an out of possession side, containing opposition being compact, controlling the game without the ball which then means you can counter attack at speed! The heat is going to play a huge factor not just in individual games but also taking energy early on in the tournament from players and making it tough in the latter stages!

Steph Houghton: Without a doubt playing against different continents with different styles of football will have a huge influence on how this tournament will go. You will come up against a variety of teams that like to slow the play down, play fast paced, be aggressive and players with different profiles will also come into it. Playing in USA, Canada and Mexico will impact games depending on temperature and trying to conserve energy as much as possible across the tournament.

Stephen Warnock: I think the biggest obstacle teams, managers and squads will have to overcome is the temperatures. I think it would be very difficult, from a training point of view and recovery point of view, how you approach the match tactically. Do you go after it? Can you go full pelt for 90 minutes?

Guy Mowbray: I hope that I’m wrong, but I’ve a strong feeling that excitement-wise, we might be disappointed with quite a few of the group stage games. The addition of a round of 32 makes qualification from the group in effect ‘easier’, but by the same token makes elimination harder to palate, so it could lead to a cautious approach or a more measured build into the tournament from some. The likely hot and humid conditions at many venues will also be a factor in us seeing some ‘slow’ football.

Rachel Corsie: It won't, it's a World Cup. The biggest thing for any team is getting through the group stages. In that sense, nothing has changed, win your group, come second, or secure one of the best 3rd place spots that's the priority and in that sense it's the same as it has always been. Come the knock-out stages you have to pick the best team to win that one-off match, again, nothing has changed here, it's just we have an extra knock out round to play.

Kelly Somers: To be honest, the scale of everything about this World Cup will have a huge influence and it’s really hard to predict how, as we’ve never seen a World Cup like it. The amount of travel and the heat are going to be the biggest factors, I think. I do a podcast with Wayne Rooney, and he’s been telling us all season from his experience of playing out there just how hard the heat and the altitude in places is to prepare for - and the sheer amount of recovery time needed. I do think it’ll suit the South American nations and those more used to it.

Steve Bower: It’s the longest, biggest tournament that the players will have ever played – off the back of demanding, tiring domestic seasons – so I think we're going to see a lot more use of the of the substitutes right across the board from the coaches. Sport science – we know it's a huge part of the game anyway – will be at the forefront of this World Cup more than ever due to the demands of the heat in a lot of places, the altitude in Mexico, the travelling and the sheer demands on the players. It'll be really interesting, particularly for bigger nations, how the coaches juggle game time and manage the squads while still getting positive results.

Which young or emerging players do you think could become breakout stars this summer?

Wayne Rooney: Just look at England, Elliot Anderson is brilliant. Again, Yamal [Spain] is a top player, which obviously everyone knows about but I think these players are brilliant. You've got Kobbie Mainoo - hopefully he gets in the squad as well - so there's some great young players in the competition.

Olivier Giroud: Well, it’s not because I’m French but if you ask me my opinion I’d say Desiré Doué. He is only 20 but you can see what a talent he is. He made his breakthrough with his club Paris St-Germain two years ago and has not looked back and I think he will emerge as a key player for France. Everybody knows him thanks to what he has achieved in the Champions League but he needs now to make history with France in front of the whole world! I think he will.

Ellen White: For me, it’s Nico O’Reilly - England, Antonio Nusa - Norway and Yan Diomande - Ivory Coast.

Conor Coady: This is the most excited I’ve been to see young players at the World Cup, we have so much to choose from and I’m hoping these two have a good impact. Lennart Karl (Germany) and Rayan (Brazil). Both had fantastic seasons at club level playing in very high level leagues and games and shown they can produce.

Steph Houghton: Elliot Anderson and Nico O’Reilly for England. Have both been instrumental for club this season and can see them being starters for England this summer. Rayan Cherki for France, so much skill and has that star quality to win football games.

Stephen Warnock: The one player I’m looking forward to seeing on the world stage is Michael Olise. I think he is an absolute superstar. We've already seen this season at Bayern Munich in the Champions League what he was able to achieve. Then going into the World Cup with France, they’re such an exciting squad but he's the one I think who could come out of this World Cup just dominating it – he’s a defender's worst nightmare and just so high in confidence right now.

Guy Mowbray: As an England supporter I’m hopeful that the likes of Elliot Anderson and Nico O’Reilly can take their Premier League development this season onto the world stage. They could end up being two of Thomas Tuchel’s most important players, having only made their international debuts this season. Looking elsewhere I think that Désiré Doué has the opportunity to properly announce himself for France, having maybe edged ahead of PSG team-mate Bradley Barcola for club and country. And don’t be surprised if Rayan is a regular starter and scorer for Brazil as they mount a strong challenge. The Bournemouth teenager is ending his first half season in the Premier League strongly.

Rachel Corsie: Franco Mastantuono (Argentina), has been great in La Liga, Warren Zaïre-Emery (France) and Pau Cubarsí (Spain).

Steve Bower: A player that I've commentated on this season, scoring in the Champions League, is Lennart Karl for Germany and Bayern Munich. He burst onto the scene this season and really got his breakthrough with Vincent Kompany. I think if he gets game time, again because a lot more of the squads for these bigger nations will be used in this tournament, he's a special talent with a wonderful temperament.

In terms of predictions, what two teams can you see making it to the final? Are there any dark horses that you think will surprise fans?

Rick Edwards: It’s pretty hard to look past France and Spain, the two top ranked teams - although I think they might meet in the semis. I do wonder if Senegal will arrive with a raging fire in their bellies after the absurd ruling that robbed them of the AFCON title earlier this year. I’d love to see them go deep into this tournament. And they can ease themselves in with a comfortable first group game - against France.

Wayne Rooney: I think you have to look at Spain, France and England. I think they're probably favourites for this World Cup.

Olivier Giroud: For me the two strongest teams are France and Spain. But will they meet each other in the final or before? That will be the question. One of the African teams can be the surprise team. Maybe Ivory Coast, Senegal or Ghana - all dangerous teams on their day.

Conor Coady: I truly believe England have a real chance because we have the best striker in the world in my opinion, a player of his calibre with the confidence he has and the bit between his teeth to win something with England is a scary thought for other countries, my other team is Germany I think they have a very good manager in Nagelsmann and can always see them getting to the latter stages, my dark horse is Senegal, I know the AFCON ended up in difficult circumstances but the way they played in Qatar and then at AFCON really impressed me, they have some top quality players and are used to winning.

Steph Houghton: Hopefully England will get to the final. But I think France and Spain have a great squad with some real match winners, as well as Brazil.

Stephen Warnock: We can’t look past France with the depth of their squad to get to the final. They are an immensely talented group of players.

Guy Mowbray: I can’t name just two, so I’ll go with four (or five!) that have every chance. As the tournament is in the Americas, I naturally can’t look far past Argentina and Brazil and would be tempted to pick one or the other as eventual winners. The main European challenge will more than likely come from France and Spain, with a nod to England. If the tournament was in Europe I’d be giving England much more of a chance – although can’t really back that up with a hard reason why. Outsiders wise I can envisage Norway doing well. Also Senegal and Morocco. As always, there will be a nation that properly surprises us though – an outsider so outside it’s impossible to pick them out now!

Rachel Corsie: I think France will make the final, and I have sneaky feeling Portugal will get there too. Japan is the team I will pick as being the surprise to most onlookers, and I think Ecuador and Turkey will cause an upset or two.

Steve Bower: I can't look beyond France on paper – they have experience, they have talent, and they have Kylian Mbappé as well, who will want to right a few wrongs from Qatar four years ago. Didier Deschamps, the coach, has already announced that he's leaving as well – could they send him off by going one better? You can't look beyond Brazil, not necessarily because of the players, but if you're looking for a coach to lead then Carlo Ancelotti, he's been there and done everything in club football. In terms of the dark horse, Japan is always a nation I love watching. They have an incredible team spirit so I wouldn’t be surprised seeing them go deep into the competition.

The tournament evokes so many emotions, what is your fondest memory of the World Cup (playing or spectating) and why does it stand out?

Olivier Giroud: I’ve been lucky to win the World Cup as a player and also remember watching France win for the first time. So my fondest memory of the World Cup is definitely in 2018 when I lifted the trophy! Those moments as a player never leave you. As a spectator, France winning on home soil in 1998. I was just 11 year’s old but that’s my first memory!

Rick Edwards: The first World Cup I was properly invested in was Italia 90. I remember being in the lounge with my dad, watching the semi-final against Germany, whilst my mum was trying to teach adult literacy to some poor guy in the kitchen - when Gary Lineker scored the late equaliser, dad and I went berserk, and mum had to abandon her lesson. Good times. I also have very fond memories of Ray Houghton’s long-range goal against Italy in Ireland’s first game of the 1994 World Cup in the US - I can still vividly picture the mix of surprise and elation on Ray’s face as it sailed in.

Ellen White: The best memories when watching have been seeing the underdogs thrive and witnessing a team or player you maybe don’t know too well thriving and making a huge impact on the world stage. The colours, the vibrancy, cultures and communities all coming together to celebrate their teams and also football is a beautiful thing to watch.

Conor Coady: My biggest World Cup memory is Michael Owen against Argentina in 1998, in incredible player at 18 scoring one of the best goals I’ve ever seen.

Steph Houghton: My fondest memories of playing in a World Cup would be captaining the Lionesses to a bronze medal in Canada 2015. The most special memories and all I ever dreamt of doing was representing my country on the highest stage possible. Watching a World Cup will be 1999, when Michael Owen scored a beauty of a goal against Argentina!

Stephen Warnock: I have two memories that stand out. The first is 1990 – I’ll never forget David Platt’s goal against Belgium. I remember being sat with my mum, dad and brother watching the game and that was one of the most incredible moments of the competition. The other would be being part of the World Cup squad and going with England to South Africa.

Guy Mowbray: From watching every one since 1978 and attending them all since 1998, I’ve got so many wonderful memories, with the coming together of people from all over the world to share a drink and stories something that’s really special.

From a pure football match perspective, the 1998 and 2022 finals will be tough to beat. Being in Paris for my first World Cup final to witness the mastery of Zidane and then the celebrations on the Champs-Elysees was truly special. Watching Messi v Mbappe at the peak of their powers to light up the final in Qatar was incredible.

One thing could beat them both though. Over to you Thomas, Harry, Declan etc.

Kelly Somers: As England reporter my fondest memory was my first World Cup match - the 6-2 win over Iran in Qatar. Bukayo Saka was the star that night (as he has been so many times), and it felt very special to be there to witness it.

Rachel Corsie: As a player I remember the euphoria of qualifying for our first World Cup as a Scottish Women's team in 2019, and it was comparable being at Hampden to see Scotland pull off a sensational win against Denmark to get to this edition.

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