The 2026 FIFA World Cup has started, so that means there is even more football to watch than usual, and soaps such as EastEnders are affected by the coverage.
This week, matches on BBC One impact the usual TV slots for the soap.
Here’s what we know about the changes and which episodes the TV schedule shake-up affects.
EastEnders to see schedule changes due to World Cup this week
On Monday, June 15, the BBC is broadcasting the Belgium v Egypt World Cup match on BBC One from 7.30pm with kick-off scheduled for 8pm.
With EastEnders usually airing at 7.30pm on the channel, it moves to BBC Two but will air at the same time.
EastEnders will follow the same pattern on Tuesday, June 16, as France v Senegal kicks off at 8pm with BBC One coverage starting at 7.30pm.
On Wednesday, June 17, the soap will air an hour later than usual (8.30pm) but will stay on BBC One as it follows the Portugal v DR Congo game.
The World Cup game that affects scheduling on Thursday is the Czechia v South Africa tie with kick-off at 5pm, meaning the BBC news is later, pushing EastEnders to 8.30pm on BBC One.
EastEnders doesn’t air on Fridays, so that is all the disruption fans can expect this week.
Shocking moments at the Queen Vic in EastEnders
The airtime will not be cut short as the soap will still have 4x 30-minute episodes as usual.
Emmerdale and Coronation Street are also affected by ITV's World Cup coverage this week.
EastEnders star to leave BBC soap in coming weeks
Ronni Ancona is set to leave EastEnders in the coming weeks after just a few months on the hit BBC soap, reports The Sun.
Ancona is an award-winning actress, comedian, and impressionist, with a career spanning more than 30 years.
Her TV and film credits include Last Tango in Halifax, Penelope, Skins, and The Trip, while she also co-wrote and starred in Big Impression.
The 56-year-old joined EastEnders late last year, before making her on-screen debut in January 2026 as Bea Pollard, Linda Carter's friend from school.
Are you watching the World Cup this year? Tell us in the comments below.
