Live coverage on TV in the UK will be screened across BBC and ITV. The final will be shared by both broadcasters.

The opening match will take place on June 11, 2026 and the tournament runs until July 19, 2026.

1. Arrange it in advance

Make sure to invite your pals round in plenty of time for them to make any necessary arrangements like booking time off work. You should also take time to give your home a pre-party tidy and do the all-important TV screen clean.

Don't forget! You can't charge any kind of entry fee or make any money from hosting a viewing, otherwise it's counted as a commercial event which requires a licence. Don't get in hot water with FIFA!

2. Plan your seating

Chances are you'll have a few more people piled into your living room than you usually watch TV with, so your furniture set-up may not leave enough room for those extra footie fans. Make sure you have seats for all your guests, even if it means asking people to bring a chair, or simply add cushions and throws to the floor, and ensure everyone has a good view of the screen.

3. Plan some pre-match entertainment

Get the motivation pumping before the game with a round-the-world playlist, pre-match game on the games console, or tournament predictions. If the weather is unseasonably warm, how about a BBQ and keepie-uppies in the garden?

4. Set up a sweepstake

While we all love to root for our home nation or a country with a personal connection, it can feel like putting all your eggs in one basket. Organise a simple sweepstake to give everyone a second team to cheer on and potentially keep the magic going for even longer.

5. Go to town with snacks & drinks

Party food lends itself perfectly to a theme. You could pay tribute to qualifying teams with delicacies from around the world, exclusively serve football-shaped snacks, or release your inner star baker with creative cake icing.