Armchair football fans have been handed a boost with the news that the BBC has agreed an exclusive deal to broadcast all of Scotland Men’s National Team matches in the build up to the 2026 World Cup.

The deal with UEFA covers 14 live Scotland matches, including the European qualifiers Group C ties against Belarus, Greece and either Portugal or Denmark, the forthcoming Nations League play-off tie against the Greeks and the June friendlies against Iceland and Liechtenstein.

Hayley Valentine, Director BBC Scotland, said: “We’ve been working on this agreement since I started as director last autumn and it was crystal-clear from day one that people across Scotland wanted to see their national team back live on free-to-air television. I’m delighted we’ve been able to deliver.” 

Ian Maxwell, Scottish FA chief executive: “We are delighted that BBC Scotland has come to agreement with UEFA for the rights to televise our Scotland Men’s National Team on a free-to-air basis. It complements their existing coverage of the Scotland Women’s National Team and, beyond that, their overall commitment to the domestic game in this country.

“We thank Viaplay for their support to this point. When it became apparent the rights could become available, we championed the potential for free-to-air coverage to reach as many Scotland supporters as possible and we are grateful that BBC and UEFA could reach agreement.”

The BBC’s broadcast agreement also includes Wales and Northern Ireland men’s international matches – the first time the broadcaster has secured live rights for all three of the UK’s devolved nations.