FIFA World Cup 2026 viewers were left scratching their heads as the second half kicked off during Tuesday's broadcast. Football fans lodged identical complaints as they settled in to watch the second half of the France versus Senegal fixture on Tuesday evening (June 16) on BBC One.
The match, staged at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, kicked off at 3pm local time, meaning it aired at 8pm in the UK, with Alan Shearer and Guy Mowbray taking BBC viewers through proceedings as commentators. France, headed up by captain Kylian Mbappé, is currently the favourite to lift the trophy. The national team almost won back-to-back World Cup games in Qatar four years ago but lost on penalties against Argentina, after perhaps one of the greatest finals in history had finished 3-3.
48 Teams Competing
48 teams are taking part in the tournament, which will be played over 104 matches across three countries over 39 days, including the co-hosts - Canada, Mexico, and the United States - plus holders Argentina. Meanwhile, Senegal is currently sitting at 100/1 to win the World Cup.
TV Licence Interruption
During the second half of France's game against Senegal, coverage was interrupted when one pundit encouraged viewers to buy a television licence if they didn't already have one. The announcement left viewers watching the game at home both amused and complaining.
Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, one person wrote: "The BBC desperately peddling the TV licence like it's donating to charity is absolutely wobbling my head," followed by a string of laughing emojis. A second added: "Starting the 2nd half by having the commentator telling us to get a TV licence. They've got no shame, have they, the BBC."
A third chimed in: "BBC desperate for people to buy TV licence they’re actually shown on the TV screen #FRASEN." While another asked: "Why do BBC keep plugging the TV licence all of a sudden (laughing face)." Another commented: "Asking people to buy a TV licence as the World Cup game is on," as another exclaimed: "BBC giving u a bar code for a TV licence (laughing face emojis)."
England kick off their campaign to win the 2026 World Cup on Wednesday evening, taking on Croatia in their first group-stage match in Dallas. The game will be shown live on ITV1, STV, ITVX and STV Player, with a kick-off at 9pm UK time.
