CEO and Managing Director of SBS, Michael Ebeid said: “With 8 million Australians tuning into SBS’s coverage to date, we know how passionate the country is about the world game and are confident fans will continue to engage with the matches as we head towards the end of the competition in Russia.”

Optus won the rights to the World Cup but struggled to provide the service earning the ire of football watchers across the nation.

SBS, which offered more limited coverage, initially stepped in for 48 hours to assist the telco but will now follow the tournament to its end.

As well, the FTA broadcaster will continue to offer daily highlights of the World, match analysis and replays of the Match of the Day.

The Group Stage concludes this evening with many Round of 16 fixtures already locked in. Night one of the knockout stage will showcase a dominant France facing the troubled Argentinian side and unbeaten Uruguay taking on Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal.