Soccer
Where to watch World Cup fixtures today: BBC and ITV matches on Wednesday
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It felt like the FIFA World Cup 2026 went to another level on Tuesday when France, Norway and Argentina came to the party, with Mbappe, Haaland and Messi all displaying their superstar quality.
Messi's hat-trick inspired the reigning champions to a 3-0 victory over Algeria. A Haaland brace set Norway on their way to a 4-1 crushing of Iraq, while a double, including a 30-yeard stunner, from Mbappe help favourites France eventually see off an impressive Senegal.
Portugal and England fans will be hoping their stars Cristiano Ronaldo and Harry Kane can put in equally impressive performances today, as they begin their Group K and L campaigns respectively.
DAZN/FIFAThomas Tuchel's England start against the side that defeated them in the 2018 World Cup semi final, Croatia. While his squad is packed with talent, question marks remain about the Three Lions's defensive strength and mobility.
For Portugal, who have one of the most balanced squads in the competition, they are expected to get off to a positive start against DR Congo.
Meanwhile Ghana and Panama meet in the other Group L match, while Uzbekistan and Colombia play in Group K. All four know getting off to a winning start will put them in a strong position of reaching the knockout stages.
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World Cup live today: Matches on Wednesday June 17
| Kick off (BST) | Match | Venue | TV channel |
| 6pm | Portugal vs. DR Congo | Houston, USA | BBC |
| 9pm | England vs. Croatia | Arlington, USA | ITV |
| 12am (Thursday) | Ghana vs. Panama | Toronto, Canada | ITV |
| 3am (Thursday) | Uzbekistan vs. Colombia | Mexico City, Mexico | BBC |
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Where can you watch the World Cup live today?
All 104 World Cup matches broadcast in the United Kingdom are shown on free-to-air television, with BBC or ITV / STV the host broadcasters.
For Wednesday's matches ITV will show England's opening match of the 2026 edition of the World Cup at 9pm BST, and will follow that up with Ghana against Panama at midnight.
The BBC begin today's broadcasts with the Portugal versus DR Congo game at 6pm BST and finishes with Uzbekistan vs. Colombia at 3am BST Thursday.
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