BBC Scotland unveils comprehensive cross-platform coverage of the national team’s return to the FIFA World Cup Finals

BBC Scotland will deliver an extensive range of content on television, radio and online as Scotland returns to football's biggest stage after 28 years.

Fans will be able to follow every moment of the campaign through a dynamic mix of live broadcasts, expert analysis, digital content, and on-the-ground reporting.

The coverage will capture all the drama of Scotland’s group stage journey when they’ll face Haiti, Morocco and Brazil.

From live match commentary and in-depth analysis to behind-the-scenes storytelling and specially commissioned documentaries and features, BBC Scotland’s output will ensure audiences don’t miss a second of the action and excitement in North America.

Louise Thornton, Head of Commissioning, BBC Scotland, said: "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."

• Everything you need to know about World Cup 2026 coverage across the BBC

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Live coverage on BBC television, iPlayer, BBC Radio, BBC Sounds and online

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

The excitement kicks off on June 6 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 will have live coverage as audiences get the chance to see how the team is shaping ahead of the Finals.

Liam McLeod will be providing full live commentary, and he’ll be joined by James McFadden in the Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, New Jersey.

On Sunday 14 June, Scotland take on Haiti - the first game in their long-awaited return to football’s biggest stage.

Scotland’s first group match will be live on BBC One and on BBC iPlayer with Liam McLeod commentating for audiences across the UK and James McFadden again joining him in the commentary box.

The highly anticipated final group match against previous World Cup winners, Brazil, on Wednesday 24 June will also be live on BBC One and iPlayer, with Liam McLeod commentating and he’ll again joined by James McFadden on co-commentary.

On radio, Alasdair Lamont will be commentating on all of Scotland’s group matches for both Radio 5 Live and BBC Radio Scotland, with Pat Nevin joining him in the commentary box for the three games against Haiti, Morocco and Brazil.

Kenny Macintyre will be presenting the radio coverage with Sportsound on BBC Radio Scotland from the Pacific Quay studios in Glasgow, where he’ll be joined by a range of guests.

Every game will have live text reports on the BBC Scotland Sport website and there'll be the best coverage online with all the main talking points, analysis and comment from Tom English and the team. The Social Media team will have the best video and compelling stories from the team camp and with the fans across the tournament.

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

BBC Radio Scotland and BBC Sounds

Amy Irons and Steven Mill will be following Scotland’s campaign and bringing listeners close to the action with special editions of The Saturday Show at the World Cup.

With exclusive access, great guests, and live reaction, the shows will put a spotlight on the moments that matter.

Kicking off on 13 June, live from Boston, the show will bring listeners the atmosphere, characters, and energy that define Scotland’s World Cup journey.

The show will build the excitement ahead of Scotland’s first World Cup match in nearly 30 years as they prepare to face Haiti. There’ll also be a look back to Scotland’s road to the World Cup and a chance to enjoy the memories of France ’98 with special guests.

On 20 June, the second edition, also from Boston, will air just hours after the final whistle of the match against Morocco, and feature live reaction, expert analysis, and fan response as the campaign continues. A third show on 27 June will bring listeners up to speed on the latest from Scotland’s World Cup odyssey.

The series will be supported by bespoke social media content on @BBCRadioScot, showcasing behind-the-scenes moments, fan stories, and the experiences of the Tartan Army across the United States.

Amy Irons said: “I’m so excited to be following Scotland’s World Cup journey up close. It’s going to be an incredible experience, and we can’t wait to bring listeners right into the heart of it.”

Steven Mill added: “Taking the show on the road across the States for the World Cup is going to be special. We’ll have big guests, great stories, and all the reaction as it happens.”

Grant Stott and Arlene Stuart are teaming up to treat listeners to the songs that will provide the soundtrack to the World Cup campaign. The series - Yes Sir, We Can Boogie with Grant and Arlene - will get the football party started on the evenings of Scotland’s matches in North America.

The first programme will air on Saturday 6 June ahead of Scotland’s friendly against Bolivia in New Jersey, the team’s final warm-up game for the tournament.

And the duo will be back with editions on 13 June before the first group match against Haiti, on 19 June ahead of the Morocco game, and on 24 June as excitement builds for the match against Brazil.

Scottish football’s odd couple - Tam Cowan and Stuart Cosgrove – will tackle the big talking points in their inimitable style with World Cup editions of Off the Ball on BBC Radio Scotland during the group stage. Jonathan Sutherland will host a daily Scotland World Cup podcast on BBC Sounds and iPlayer and there'll be a live update on YouTube every day with all the latest from the USA during the tournament.

Iconic comedy show, Only An Excuse? will be back during the World Cup for a milestone episode. Celebrating 40 years since the satirical show was launched on BBC Radio Scotland, writer Phil Differ and actor Jonathan Watson return to the airwaves on Saturday 6 June for a show that tackles the big names of the game and has a unique take on Scotland's return to the big time.

Only An Excuse at 40 celebrates one of Scotland’s best-loved comedies, featuring four decades of enduring memories, untold stories, favourite moments and special guests.

There's also a Breaking the News World Cup special edition on 19 June when the audience can join Des Clarke and his special guests slap bang in the middle of the World Cup group matches as, crucially, there'll still be hope.

The show will hear all about the fan experience in Boston, look forward to the rest of the tournament in the USA and even lift the spirits with a World Cup song too.

BBC Radio nan Gàidheal and BBC Sounds

The news team’s sports podcast Spòrscast will preview and dissect 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, will also be available on BBC ALBA’s YouTube page.

BBC Scotland News

BBC Scotland News teams will be with Scotland fans, every step of the way, at home and in North America. They'll capture the nerves, excitement and anticipation as the tournament approaches, and follow supporters through those crucial group-stage deciders.

BBC Scotland's wide range of news programming from Radio Scotland Breakfast to Reporting Scotland, and across online and digital platforms, will be at the heart of the action as the national team returns to the biggest stage.

From living rooms and pubs across our towns and cities, the cameras will be at watch parties and special events nationwide, reflecting the shared experience of our passionate supporters.

Amy Irons will anchor special editions of Reporting Scotland on location in North America, and a dedicated news team will also travel from New York to Boston to Miami, and hopefully beyond, to tell the stories of the travelling Tartan Army as they cheer on the team in stadiums and fan zones across the continent.

BBC television and iPlayer

In the run-up to the Finals there are specially commissioned programmes to warm up the audience including an extra episode of Icons of Scottish Football, featuring veteran international goalkeeper, Craig Gordon.

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.

The documentary for BBC Scotland and BBC One, Kevin Bridges: In Search of the Beautiful Game, which airs in early June, sees the comedian travelling to locations including Brazil, Scotland and the USA, exploring how football is experienced across different communities and environments.

Kevin said: "I’ve been a football fan for as long as I can remember, I was 11 years old when Scotland last qualified for the World Cup, a lot has changed about football since then and like a lot of people, I’ve become a little disillusioned with where the game is headed. I’m excited to be setting out on this mission; to see if the game still has a soul and that its beauty is not yet lost."

A documentary for BBC Scotland and iPlayer, will focus on the fan reaction videos from Scotland’s memorable win over Denmark, and another film will focus on the goals which fired Scotland back on to the world stage.

And there are the Serie A Scots short films featuring Scotland stars Lewis Ferguson, Billy Gilmour and Scott McTominay looking ahead to the World Cup, which you can watch on iPlayer now.

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