How to watch every Women's World Cup match on TV after BBC and ITV agreed deal
The Women's World Cup is fast approaching and the tournament promises to be the biggest spectacle in women's football history.
32 countries will battle it out for the most coveted prize in football, with the tournament set to take place between July 20 and August 20 in Australia and New Zealand. Reigning champions USA are bidding to win the trophy for a fifth time but will face stern competition from a host of different challengers, including England, who will have a target on their backs following their victory at last summer's Euros.
The Lionesses have lost just one game since Sarina Wiegman took charge in September 2021 and, despite being without star players such as Beth Mead and Leah Williamson, are among the favourites to go all the way this summer. The build-up to the World Cup has been somewhat marred by a dispute over broadcast rights, with Fifa president Gianni Infantino threatening a European TV blackout if rights offers were not improved.
However, last month it was announced the BBC and ITV have agreed a deal with Fifa to broadcast the the tournament in the UK.
Why was there a dispute over broadcasting rights?
In May, Fifa president Gianni Infantino threatened to not broadcast the Women's World Cup in five European countries unless TV companies improve their rights offers.
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Infantino said "disappointing" offers from the UK, Spain, Italy, Germany and France were a "slap in the face" of the players and "all women worldwide" and argued it was Fifa's "moral and legal obligation not to undersell" the event.
He revealed European broadcasters had offered world football's governing body $1m-$10m (£800,000-£8m) for the rights, compared with $100m-$200m for the men's World Cup.
In response, the UK government joined forces with a host of other European nations to urge FIFA to strike a deal with broadcasters before this summer's Women's World Cup.
In June, just five weeks before the tournament was set to begin, it was announced the BBC and ITV had agreed a deal to broadcast the the tournament in the UK.
Fifa president Gianni Infantino threatened to not broadcast the Women's World Cup in five European countries (PA)How long does the tournament last?
The tournament will get underway on Thursday, July 20, when co-hosts Australia and New Zealand are both in action. The Matildas will take on the Republic of Ireland at Stadium Australia in Sydney while the Ferns will face Norway at Eden Park in Auckland.
The Final will take place on Sunday, August 20 at Stadium Australia.
Will all the games be on TV?
All 64 matches from the tournament will be broadcast in the UK on either the BBC or ITV, except for the final on 20 August, which will be shown across both BBC One and ITV1.
ITV will show England's opening game against Haiti on July 22 and their third group game against China on August 1. The BBC will take the Lionesses' second group stage match against Denmark, as well as their potential Round of 16 tie.
ITV will split games between ITV1 and ITV4, with catch-up on ITVX, while the BBC will also offer live audio commentary on BBC 5 Live and 5 Sports Extra.
The deal also means countries including Germany, Spain, France and Italy now have TV contracts in place.
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