There are legal ways to watch the game tonight without a Licence (Image: Getty)
It might be the most important England game of the 21st century, as Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham and the Three Lions attempt to exorcise the demons of 1986 and beat Argentina in a World Cup semi-final on BBC One tonight.
The rights to the World Cup 2026 are split between the BBC and ITV, as a Government mandate means the FIFA tournament must be shown on free-to-air terrestrial television channels, which is why Sky have never been able to buy the rights to the Euros or the World Cup.
Tonight’s game with Argentina is being shown by the BBC, but the final will be broadcast by both ITV and BBC simultaneously, giving fans the chance to pick which channel they prefer (and maybe, just maybe, England will be there on Sunday against Spain).
England fans can watch the Argentina game without a TV Licence (Image: PA)
What are your rights to watch the BBC or ITV World Cup matches without a TV Licence?
All tournament, the BBC has been flashing up a QR code on screen, warning them they need a TV Licence in order to watch the matches on BBC iPlayer.
Legally, you need a TV Licence to watch any live TV on any channel, which means it would not be possible to legally watch England’s World Cup games live from home if you don’t have a TV Licence, on BBC or ITV. You can’t record the game and watch it back either, nor can you watch it on catch up on BBC or ITV.
But there are some completely legal ways to watch World Cup 2026 games if you don’t have a TV Licence.
How to watch England v Argentina without a TV Licence
Watch in the pub
If you don’t have a TV Licence, simply head to a pub or bar showing the game. Not only will this be totally within the rules, but this also supports your local and gives them a much-needed boost after the difficult last few years.
Pubs have been given special permission in law to open later for the Euros, with pubs allowed to keep serving beer all the way to 1am instead of the normal 11pm last orders.
Watch at a friend’s
If you don’t have a TV Licence, there’s no law against going round to a friend’s who does have one. As long as they aren’t setting up a cinema in the garden and charging entry, it’s totally legal for someone with a TV Licence to have friends round to watch a match, whatever the invitees’ legal status regarding a licence is.
Be a student
There is an odd loophole that allows students to watch live TV without a TV Licence. Normally, even students must have a TV Licence at their address, including each individual flat if they have separate door numbers. But students whose parents or guardians have a TV Licence can watch live TV and BBC iPlayer on a smartphone, tablet or laptop that is not plugged in or charging at the time, without paying for their own Licence. Yes, oddly, the rules state that if the device is ‘powered solely by its own batteries’ you can watch live TV on it legally while you’re away at halls or uni, as long as your parents have a TV Licence at home.
Be an older state pensioner
State pensioners who claim Pension Credit get free TV Licences over the age of 75. If you have a state pensioner aged over 75 living at home claiming Pension Credit, they won’t be eligible to pay for a TV Licence at all, saving £180.
What about YouTube?
Some people try to get around TV Licence laws by watching World Cup 2026 games on YouTube, but this is still illegal because the law says any live TV on any platform, including YouTube, is subject to the TV Licence.