All the TV shows cancelled for the World Cup 2026 as BBC and ITV's schedules hit with huge shake-up due to evening football matches
It won't be a problem... if you're a football fanThe FIFA World Cup 2026 is exploding onto television screens this week as the summer of sport officially gets underway – but it means a big chunk of your favourite TV shows will be cancelled or moved.
Both the BBC and ITV are sharing the rights to the World Cup, meaning there are some massive schedule changes afoot.
This is not helped by the matches taking place in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
The time difference means that the majority of kick offs will fall in the evenings, between 5-11pm. And in some cases, the very early hours of the morning.
So what will be affected when it comes to the TV listings?
FIFA World Cup 2026 sparks big changes to TV schedules
Unfortunately, if you’re a fan of TV but not a fan of football, you might find the next month a bit of a headache.
The FIFA World Cup 2026 coverage begins on Thursday (June 11, 2026) and runs right through until Sunday July 19. It is the biggest World Cup in history, which means an endless list of games.
ITV and the BBC have already agreed which matches they will be sharing up until June 28. The broadcasters will battle out the rights to the remaining coverage nearer the time.
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Given the kick off times, you can expect many of your favourite shows to be affected.
The One Show and its Wednesday evening Watchdog special is likely to be the one programme hit the hardest. It’s usual 7pm teatime slot on BBC One will be out of action a lot during the 37-date tournament due to pre-match build ups and actual games.
However, bear in mind that the BBC will switch the show to BBC Two where it can. So flip over to check if you can’t see it on BBC One!
Question Time ‘goes off air’ for World Cup in schedule change
Another BBC evening favourite that is hit is Who Do You Think You Are?. This show will be taking a break for a few weeks following tonight’s episode with Joe Swash. Repeats of The Repair Shop will likely be pulled, along with Question Time.
Question Time host Fiona Bruce confirmed last Thursday: “Question Time is coming off air for the World Cup. Yes indeed. But we will be back in September.”
Expect Casualty to be shunted around the schedule, too, along with The Antiques Roadshow, depending on the fixtures.
Over on ITV, the usual Saturday and Sunday night favourites – albeit mostly repeats – will take a bruising when matches are on. Count yourself lucky if you’re actually able to catch a glimpse of The Chase Celebrity Special and Celebrity Catchphrase.
The new series of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? will be stopped on certain Sundays. Thank goodness Britain’s Got Talent is done and dusted, eh?!
But if it’s soaps you’re interested in…. brace yourself.
How will the soaps be affected by the FIFA World Cup 2026?
Unfortunately, given their usual evening time slots, the soaps will be massively hit with scheduling changes.
You will really need to keep your eye on the ball (no pun intended) with EastEnders, Emmerdale and Coronation Street. Episodes for all three will be hit with different start times depending on the day’s fixtures.
But there is some good news. We are now in the age of streaming – and BBC iPlayer and ITVX will compensate.
EastEnders will be massively affected from June 29 onwards, so the BBC has thought ahead. From this date, the entire week’s worth of episodes will be uploaded in one batch each Monday the World Cup is on.
Meanwhile, Emmerdale and Coronation Street will also be hit. And on some nights, including next week, episodes will be pulled entirely. Double episodes will then appear on different nights in the schedule to make up for the loss.
As it stands, ITV is not believed to be adopting the same approach as the BBC. Instead of dumping weekly episodes in one batch, Coronation Street and Emmerdale will be juggled around the World Cup broadcasts and uploaded to ITVX as they air.
TVGuide’s listings pages will have never come in more handy!
The only soap unaffected is Hollyoaks. The E4 mainstay avoids the drama all together. At least that is one you can rely on!
When is the FIFA World Cup 2026 Opening Ceremony
The FIFA World Cup 2026 kicks off on Thursday June 11, 2026. ITV is hosting the live coverage of the official Opening Ceremony from Estadio Banorte in Mexico City. And it is actually one of three Opening Ceremonies!
It starts at 6.15pm on ITV1 and will see Shakira and Burna Boy perform the official World Cup 2026 song, Dai Dai.
The Ceremony will be followed by the first match of the tournament, Mexico v South Africa. Kick off is at 8pm, with coverage ending at 10.35pm.
Unfortunately, it appears the UK won’t get to see the Canada and Los Angeles Opening Ceremonies, as nothing is set in stone in the TV schedules. Boo.
With the likes of Michael Bublé and Katy Perry performing, here’s hoping the BBC and ITV will slip some highlights in during their programming or onto their streaming services!
