TV sport round-up: Major golf, World Cup - and GAA galore too

Any FIFA World Cup is a TV marathon in the early stages, but with 48 teams at the 2026 version that started this week, fans have an embarrassment of riches to choose from.

The third match of the tournament pits co-hosts Canada with Bosnia & Herzegovina, and that’s on Friday at 8pm.

Other selected picks for the week ahead at kick-off times to suit TV fans include Brazil v Morocco on Saturday at 11pm, Germany v Curacao on Sunday at 8pm, and Netherlands v Japan on Sunday at 9pm.

Spain kick off their quest for the World Cup against Cape Verde on Monday at 5pm, with Belgium v Mo Salah’s Egypt that day at 8pm.

France v Senegal is on Tuesday at 8pm while England launch their challenge against Croatia on Wednesday at 9pm.

All matches are live on RTÉ and on BBC/ITV.

Also in the sport world, the third golf major of the year tees off on Thursday.

The US Open takes place at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in New York, with Rory McIlroy in the hunt for the title 15 years after he won it last.

The last winner of a US Open at the venue was Brooks Koepka in 2018, while JJ Spaun is the defending champion.

Meanwhile, on the GAA front, it is All-Ireland football qualification weekend, with two games on RTÉ on Sunday - Louth v Armagh at 1pm, and Tyrone v Mayo at 3.30pm.

GAA+ will show three live games. The two on Saturday are Monaghan v Roscommon at 4.30pm, followed by Derry v Meath at 7pm, then it’s and Galway v Westmeath at 2pm on Sunday.

Finally, for motor racing fans, the Formula 1 Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix is live on Sky on Sunday at 2pm, with highlights on Channel 4 at 6.30pm.

After last week’s Monaco Grand Prix, the teams have made the relatively short trip to Spain. The season so far has been dominated by Kimi Antonelli. Can the 19-year-old Italian secure another victory and extend his lead at the top of the standings?