England kick off their 2026 World Cup campaign tonight when they face Croatia in Dallas at 9pm, but there is concern they may not start with a victory. Thomas Tuchel aims to end 60 years of hurt, with the Three Lions among the favorites in North America.
In the UK, the BBC and ITV are broadcasting every World Cup match live. Tonight's fixture at the AT&T Stadium will be shown on ITV1, which has caused some unease among supporters. It has long been suggested that ITV's coverage of England is cursed, with the team seemingly performing better when matches air on the BBC.
ITV's England Record
Since the 1998 World Cup in France, ITV has aired 34 England games, but only 10 of those were victories. That is a win percentage of just 29.4%, with 13 defeats. Notable games include the semi-final loss to Croatia at the 2018 World Cup, the quarter-final defeat to France in 2022, and the humiliating Euro 2016 exit to Iceland. Earlier, ITV broadcast penalty shootout losses to Portugal and Argentina, both after red cards for Wayne Rooney (2006) and David Beckham (1998).
BBC's England Record
Over the same period, the BBC has a much healthier record: 21 wins out of 31 games, a win percentage of 67.7%. However, the BBC has also aired eight England losses, including the 4-1 thrashing by Germany at the 2010 World Cup. Both broadcasters showed the last two European Championship finals, which England lost to Italy and Spain.
Which TV Channel Will England's 2026 World Cup Games Be Shown On?
ITV will broadcast England's group stage games against Croatia (tonight) and Panama (June 27), while the BBC will show the clash with Ghana (June 23). If the Three Lions progress through the knockouts, the BBC is expected to show the round of 32, round of 16, and semi-final matches, as they have first pick for those rounds. ITV will have first pick for the quarter-finals. Both broadcasters will air the final in New York on July 19.
