Bring on the World Cup with pitch-perfect viewing thanks to the latest tech
A glorious summer of football is nearly upon us, with the FIFA World Cup in North America kicking off on 11 June. As well as planning WFH mornings after all the England games (the first is 17 June, FYI) it’s a great time to upgrade with one of the latest sports TVs designed to put you on the touchline.
What makes a TV great for sport?
The latest tech includes AI motion-blur elimination, essential for tracking a fast-moving ball, and high-peak brightness from Mini-LED (Light-Emitting Diode) to combat glare during sunny daytime kick-offs. The 2026 World Cup also has late-night games, so look for OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode) models which deliver cinematic viewing for night-time matches. Don’t forget the all-important refresh rate; higher numbers reduce choppiness, which is perfect for fast action.
Best overall sports TV: Sony Bravia 8 II
Sony’s AI-powered Bravia 8 II has a sleek QD-OLED design, with the brand’s widest-ever colour palette, thanks to XR Triluminos Max technology. Plus, Acoustic Surface Audio+ tech harmonises sound with screen for exceptionally accurate audio – enjoy all that at a fantastic price.
Best TV for big-screen immersion: LG OLED77G64LW
Designed for seamless flush-to-the-wall mounting, this LG model’s cutting-edge AI Processor 4K Gen3 is tailored for OLED technology to deliver incredible picture and sound quality, enhanced by Brightness Booster Ultra tech. Prepare to feel like you’re pitch-side.
Best TV for bright rooms: Samsung MRE65R95H
Micro RGB Technology uses the world’s first micro-sized red, green, and blue LED backlight to deliver Samsung’s widest-ever TV colour spectrum. Glare-free technology reduces light from windows and lamps, so every game looks true to life without any distracting shine or reflections.
Best value TV: LG OLED55C54LA
LG’s OLED delivers supreme contrast, 100-per-cent colour accuracy and crystal-clear volume, powered by an advanced a9 AI processor. Plus, Brightness Booster ensures pixel-perfect details from any angle, in any environment – meaning no one can complain they can’t see the game.
How to prep your TV for the World Cup
Get your TV ready for kick off with these simple tweaks in ‘Settings’…
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Turn off Vivid Mode, which is high-contrast and best for gaming or watching animation, and instead choose Standard/Normal (or Sports Mode, if you have it).
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Adjust your contrast ratio to mid-level (40-70%) to deliver deep blacks while keeping bright elements, such as floodlights, from looking washed out.
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Choose the correct brightness depending on the light in the room, mid-level (40-70%) is usually the best bet, as long as there isn’t sunshine beaming onto your screen.
Next-level sound
Once you’ve chosen your TV, invest in a soundbar and you’ll never look back; replicate the stadium experience with a sleek design that offers clear, deep and balanced surround sound.
Our promise to you
All of our TVs are price matched and include a minimum five-year guarantee, with options to extend your coverage with our Protect+ service. Read our TV Buying Guide for more information, or speak to John Lewis experts in-store. We also offer a range of services, including wall mounting, TV set-up, and TV recycling. Find out more here.
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