Bulgaria's national public broadcaster has published the full match-by-match schedule for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which begins tonight with Mexico vs South Africa at 22:00 Bulgarian time. The tournament runs through 19 July with coverage split between BNT 1 and BNT 3, the two main channels operated by Bulgarian National Television.

Anyone who's stocked up on beer at the local shop before kick-off knows this schedule means late nights ahead. The opening match goes out on both channels tonight, as do most high-profile group stage games and all knockout matches from the quarters onward.

How the Coverage Works

Bulgarian National Television operates both BNT 1 and BNT 3 as free-to-air services, meaning the entire tournament is available without subscription or special package across Bulgaria. BNT 1, founded in 1959, is the country's main public television channel and has broadcast major sporting events for decades.

According to Novinite, the source material suggests most matches will air simultaneously on both channels, with the remainder split between the two depending on the fixture. The primary source notes 79 matches on both channels at once, though this specific figure has not been confirmed by independent sources. The practical complication comes during the group stage, when a handful of matches split between the two channels. Worth checking the schedule before settling in, especially if you're following multiple teams or groups.

A second screen or streaming device helps if two matches you care about clash across the two channels. This is more likely to matter during the group stage than later in the tournament, when simultaneous broadcasts return for the knockout rounds.

England's Group Stage Schedule

British expats in Bulgaria can watch England's three group stage matches on BNT at the following times (Bulgarian time):

  • 17 June, 23:00: England vs Croatia (BNT 1 and BNT 3)
  • 23 June, 23:00: England vs Ghana (BNT 1 and BNT 3)
  • 28 June, 00:00: England vs Panama (BNT 1 only; BNT 3 carries Croatia vs Ghana at the same time)

The third match presents the only scheduling conflict for England followers: if both games matter for qualification, you will need to pick a channel or find a second screen. The Panama match airs on BNT 1, the Ghana-Croatia decider on BNT 3.

All three matches fall in late-night or early-morning slots Bulgarian time, reflecting the time zone spread across the three host nations (USA, Canada, Mexico). Worth planning your week around if you intend to watch live.

Scotland's Fixtures

Beyond England, British expats may want to note:

  • 14 June, 04:00: Scotland vs Haiti (BNT 1 and BNT 3)
  • 20 June, 01:00: Scotland vs Morocco (BNT 1 and BNT 3)
  • 25 June, 01:00: Scotland vs Brazil (BNT 1 only; BNT 3 carries Morocco vs Haiti)

Scotland's fixtures are all in the early hours Bulgarian time. If you're planning to watch, stock up on coffee.

Knockout Stage from 28 June

The knockout stage begins on 28 June with matches running through 4 July. These games alternate between BNT 1 and BNT 3, though multiple simultaneous broadcasts return during peak evening and night slots.

The Round of 16 runs from 4 to 7 July, quarterfinals on 9, 10, and 12 July, and semifinals on 14 and 15 July. All knockout matches from the quarters onward air on both BNT 1 and BNT 3.

The final is on 19 July at 22:00, preceded by the third-place match at 00:00 the same day, both on BNT 1 and BNT 3.

What This Means for British Expats

Anyone with a television in Bulgaria can watch the entire tournament without additional cost. BNT 1 and BNT 3 are standard terrestrial channels, available via antenna, cable, and satellite packages. This is a considerable practical advantage compared to pay-per-view or streaming-only models common in some other countries, including the UK in recent tournament cycles.

For those following multiple teams or planning to watch beyond the knockout stages, it is worth bookmarking the full schedule now: some group stage slots have four or five matches running within a three-hour window, and not all air on both channels. The full fixture list with Bulgarian broadcast times is available on the Novinite website.

Navigating matches split between BNT 1 and BNT 3 during the group stage requires checking the schedule in advance. British expats with access to laptops, tablets, or second TVs have an easier time managing simultaneous fixtures of interest. Many cable and satellite packages in Bulgaria also offer catch-up services or multi-channel recording options, worth investigating if you plan to follow the tournament closely.