Kickoff Times Around the World
| City | Time | Timezone | Day & Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| UTC | 01:00 | UTC | Tuesday 16 June 2026 |
| London | 02:00 | BST | Tuesday 16 June 2026 |
| Paris | 03:00 | CEST | Tuesday 16 June 2026 |
| Madrid | 03:00 | CEST | Tuesday 16 June 2026 |
| Budapest | 03:00 | CEST | Tuesday 16 June 2026 |
| Bucharest | 04:00 | EEST | Tuesday 16 June 2026 |
| New York | 9:00 PM | EDT | Monday 15 June 2026 |
| Los Angeles | 6:00 PM | PDT | Monday 15 June 2026 |
| Mumbai | 06:30 | IST | Tuesday 16 June 2026 |
| Sydney | 11:00 | AEST | Tuesday 16 June 2026 |
United Kingdom
British viewers are well served for this one, with both of the UK’s principal free-to-air broadcasters holding shared rights to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The BBC and ITV have together secured coverage of the tournament, meaning at least one of them will carry Iran vs New Zealand without requiring a subscription of any kind.
BBC coverage is available live on BBC One or BBC Two depending on scheduling, and streams simultaneously on BBC iPlayer — accessible on smart TVs, phones, tablets, laptops, and games consoles with no paywall. ITV’s coverage airs on ITV1, with the ITV X streaming platform providing the same free-to-air online option. Both services require a UK internet connection, and iPlayer also requires a TV licence.
For fans setting an alarm for a 02:00 BST Tuesday start, it is worth checking both broadcasters’ schedules in the days before the match, as the BBC and ITV divide fixtures between them and the specific channel assignment for this game may be confirmed closer to tournament time.
United States and Canada
United States: FOX Sports holds English-language rights to the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, with the match expected to air on FOX or FS1. The 9:00 PM EDT / 6:00 PM PDT Monday evening kickoff is a prime-time slot on the East Coast, making this one of the more accessible World Cup fixtures for American viewers this cycle. Streaming is available through the FOX Sports app and foxsports.com with a cable or satellite login, and through live-TV streaming services that carry FOX channels.
Spanish-language coverage is handled by Telemundo and its streaming platform Peacock, which has become a central hub for Spanish-language World Cup streaming in the US. Peacock subscribers can watch live on the app across all major devices.
Canada: TSN and CTV share English-language World Cup broadcast rights in Canada. CTV, as a free-to-air network, is the option to note here — Canadian viewers may be able to catch this match without a subscription depending on the fixture allocation. TSN’s streaming service, TSN+, provides an additional route for subscribers. French-language coverage is carried by RDS and TVA Sports.
France
In France, FIFA World Cup rights are held by TF1 and beIN Sports. TF1 is a free-to-air channel and streams live via TF1+, its digital platform. beIN Sports covers matches on pay-TV when TF1 does not take them. France’s free-to-air obligations generally guarantee that knockout stage matches and high-profile group games are accessible on TF1, though group-stage fixture allocation between the two broadcasters varies. Streaming via TF1+ is free to access without a subscription for content airing on TF1 itself.
Other Major Markets
Spain: Mediaset España, through its Cuatro and Telecinco channels, along with RTVE, have been the primary carriers of World Cup football in Spain in recent tournaments. Streaming is available through their respective digital platforms. Viewers should verify the specific channel assignment ahead of the 03:00 CEST kickoff.
Germany: ARD and ZDF hold free-to-air World Cup rights in Germany and have consistently shared coverage of the tournament. Both public broadcasters stream live via their Mediathek platforms at no cost. The 03:00 CEST start is a late-night fixture for German audiences.
Italy: RAI and Mediaset have historically divided World Cup coverage in Italy. RAI’s free-to-air channels and the RaiPlay streaming app are the key destinations for viewers without a pay-TV subscription. The 03:00 CEST kickoff falls in the small hours for Italian viewers.
Romania: Pro TV and TVR have featured in World Cup broadcast arrangements in Romania. The Bucharest kickoff of 04:00 EEST makes this a very late-night or early-morning watch. Streaming options follow each broadcaster’s respective online platforms.
Netherlands: NOS, the Dutch public broadcaster, has carried World Cup football on free-to-air television and streams matches via its NOS.nl platform and app. The 03:00 CEST kickoff is a late-night slot for Dutch viewers, though NOS typically makes replays available shortly after.
Streaming Without a Subscription
No official free global stream of FIFA World Cup matches is currently provided by FIFA itself for live viewing — rights are sold on a territory-by-territory basis, so access depends entirely on which broadcaster holds rights in your country.
Some viewers use a VPN to access a broadcaster’s stream from another country. While this is technically possible, doing so may breach the terms of service of the platform in question and potentially circumvents territorial licensing agreements. This guide does not endorse circumventing broadcast rights.
For highlights, FIFA’s official YouTube channel and social media accounts typically publish post-match clips, though full-match streams are not available through official free channels.
Our Match Preview
For a full tactical breakdown, team news, and a match prediction ahead of Tuesday’s fixture, read our detailed preview: Iran vs New Zealand – FIFA World Cup 2026 Preview and Prediction.
FAQ
- What time is Iran vs New Zealand in the UK?
- Iran vs New Zealand kicks off at 02:00 BST on Tuesday 16 June 2026 for viewers in the United Kingdom.
- Is Iran vs New Zealand on free TV?
- Yes, in the UK it is. Both the BBC and ITV hold free-to-air World Cup rights, so the match will be broadcast without a subscription on either BBC One/Two or ITV1. In the US, FOX carries English-language coverage, which is free over the air with an antenna if you live in a covered area.
- Where can I stream Iran vs New Zealand?
- UK viewers can stream free via BBC iPlayer or ITVX depending on which broadcaster airs the match. In the US, the FOX Sports app (with a TV provider login) and Peacock (for Spanish-language coverage via Telemundo) are the main streaming options. Canadian viewers can use TSN+ or check CTV's digital platform.
- What channel is Iran vs New Zealand on in the US?
- English-language coverage in the US is on FOX or FS1, with Spanish-language coverage on Telemundo. The match kicks off at 9:00 PM EDT / 6:00 PM PDT on Monday 15 June 2026, making it a prime-time fixture on the East Coast.
- Can I watch Iran vs New Zealand on YouTube?
- No full live stream of the match will be officially available on YouTube. FIFA's official channel may publish highlights after the match, but live rights are held exclusively by territory-specific broadcasters such as BBC/ITV in the UK and FOX/Telemundo in the US.