Kickoff Times Around the World
| City | Local Time | Timezone | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| UTC | 20:00 | UTC | Wednesday 17 June 2026 |
| London | 21:00 | BST | Wednesday 17 June 2026 |
| Paris | 22:00 | CEST | Wednesday 17 June 2026 |
| Madrid | 22:00 | CEST | Wednesday 17 June 2026 |
| Budapest | 22:00 | CEST | Wednesday 17 June 2026 |
| Bucharest | 23:00 | EEST | Wednesday 17 June 2026 |
| New York | 4:00 PM | EDT | Wednesday 17 June 2026 |
| Los Angeles | 1:00 PM | PDT | Wednesday 17 June 2026 |
| Mumbai | 01:30 | IST | Thursday 18 June 2026 |
| Sydney | 06:00 | AEST | Thursday 18 June 2026 |
United Kingdom
Fans in England have it straightforward: both the BBC and ITV hold joint free-to-air rights to the FIFA World Cup in the United Kingdom, meaning this match will be available on terrestrial television at no cost. With England themselves involved, expect both broadcasters to be heavily invested — the rights arrangement typically allows each to select specific group-stage fixtures, so check both BBC One and ITV1 schedules in the days leading up to kick-off to confirm which channel carries this particular game.
For streaming, the BBC’s iPlayer and ITVX (ITV’s streaming platform) will simulcast whichever broadcaster holds the match. Both platforms are free to use with a valid TV licence, require a UK internet connection, and are available on smart TVs, laptops, tablets, smartphones, and streaming sticks. Pre-match coverage and build-up programming will begin well before the 21:00 BST kick-off on Wednesday 17 June 2026, so log in early to avoid any last-minute buffering during high-demand load.
United States and Canada
United States: FOX Sports holds the English-language broadcast rights to the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the US. This match will be carried on either FOX or FS1 — confirm your local listings closer to the date. Telemundo is the Spanish-language home of the tournament, so Spanish-speaking viewers should check Telemundo or its cable sister channel Universo. For cord-cutters, FOX matches are available via the FOX Sports app with an authenticated cable or satellite login, and Telemundo’s coverage streams through the Peacock platform. Several virtual MVPDs — including YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV — carry both FOX and Telemundo, making them practical options for viewers without a traditional cable subscription. The 4:00 PM EDT kick-off on Wednesday 17 June 2026 is a workday afternoon slot on the East Coast and 1:00 PM PDT for viewers in Los Angeles, so many fans may be watching on mobile or at work.
Canada: TSN and CTV share broadcast rights to the FIFA World Cup in Canada. TSN is a subscription sports channel available through most major cable and satellite providers, while CTV operates as a free-to-air network, meaning Canadian viewers may be able to catch the match without a sports package. TSN’s streaming service, TSN Direct, offers a standalone subscription for cord-cutters. Confirm closer to 17 June which of the two carries this specific fixture.
Streaming Without a Subscription
Viewers travelling outside their home country may find that their usual streaming service is geo-restricted. A VPN (Virtual Private Network) can route your connection through a server in your home country, potentially restoring access to a service you already pay for — but check your provider’s terms of service before doing so, as some platforms prohibit VPN use.
FIFA does not currently offer live match streaming free of charge via its own platforms in the way that UEFA.tv provides certain free-to-watch content for UEFA competitions. Highlights and official clips may be posted to FIFA’s official YouTube channel and social media after the match, but live streaming through FIFA-owned channels is not an established feature of World Cup broadcasts. For legitimate free-to-air streaming options, see the UK (iPlayer/ITVX) and Canada (CTV) sections above, each of which offers free legal access within their respective territories.
Our Match Preview
For a deeper breakdown of both squads, tactical analysis, and a match prediction, read our full preview: England vs Croatia – FIFA World Cup 2026 Preview and Prediction.
FAQ
- What time is England vs Croatia in the UK?
- England vs Croatia kicks off at 21:00 BST on Wednesday 17 June 2026.
- Is England vs Croatia on free TV?
- Yes, in the UK the match will be broadcast free-to-air on either BBC One or ITV1, both of which hold joint World Cup rights. In Canada, CTV may also carry it free-to-air. Check local listings to confirm which channel has been allocated this specific fixture.
- Where can I stream England vs Croatia?
- In the UK, stream free via BBC iPlayer or ITVX depending on which broadcaster holds this fixture. In the US, FOX Sports app (English) and Peacock (Telemundo/Spanish) are the main streaming options. In Canada, TSN Direct offers a standalone streaming subscription.
- What channel is England vs Croatia on in the US?
- FOX or FS1 will carry the English-language broadcast in the US — check your local FOX Sports listings closer to 17 June. Spanish-language coverage is on Telemundo or Universo, with streaming via Peacock.
- Can I watch England vs Croatia on YouTube?
- A live broadcast on YouTube is not expected. FIFA may post official highlights to its YouTube channel after the match, but live rights belong to contracted broadcasters such as BBC/ITV (UK), FOX/Telemundo (US), and TSN/CTV (Canada). YouTube TV, the virtual pay-TV service, does carry FOX and Telemundo and is a legitimate option for US viewers without cable.