How to watch England vs Croatia: live stream the World Cup 2026 on June 17th from anywhere
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England and Croatia renew their rivalry at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Wednesday, June 17th, as both sides kick off their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign in Group L. England, ranked fourth in the world, enter the tournament with momentum after beating Costa Rica 3-0 in their final warm-up match, while Croatia, led by 40-year-old midfield maestro Luka Modrić in his fifth and likely final World Cup, are looking to recapture the magic of their 2018 semi-final run. The two teams last met at a major tournament in the group stage of Euro 2020, where England won 1-0, but the 2018 World Cup semi-final looms large in the memory: Croatia stunned England 2-1 in extra time in Moscow to reach their first-ever World Cup final.
Every match streams live and free in English on BBC iPlayer and ITVX in the UK and on SBS On Demand in Australia. These broadcasters geo-block streams outside their home country, so you need a VPN to watch from abroad. We recommend NordVPN for reliable unblocking, fast HD streaming, and broad device support across all three broadcasters.
The Group L opener takes place at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, with kickoff at 3:00 PM CT / 4:00 PM ET / 1:00 PM PT / 9:00 PM BST / 10:00 PM CEST on June 17th. The match streams free in English on ITVX in the UK and on SBS On Demand in Australia, though both services are geo-restricted to their home countries. A VPN lets you watch from anywhere by changing your virtual location.
Where to watch England vs Croatia
Below is a complete overview of where to watch England vs Croatia and when the match starts in your time zone.
| Country | Streaming service | Price | Local kickoff time | Notes |
| England | ITVX | Free | 9:00 PM BST | Free account required |
| Croatia | HRT | Free | 10:00 PM CEST | Free, all Croatia matches |
| United Kingdom | ITVX | Free | 9:00 PM BST | Free account required |
| Australia | SBS On Demand | Free | 6:00 AM AEST, June 18th | Free account required, all 104 matches |
| Spain | RTVE | Free | 10:00 PM CEST | Free, selected matches including Spain's games |
| Canada | CTV / TSN | Free (CTV) / $19.99/month (TSN+) | 4:00 PM ET / 1:00 PM PT | CTV free for ~half of matches; TSN+ full coverage |
| United States | Fox Sports / Telemundo / Tubi | $84.99/month (Fubo) / Free (Telemundo OTA) / Free (Tubi VOD) | 4:00 PM ET / 1:00 PM PT | Fox Sports requires cable or vMVPD; Telemundo free OTA; Tubi VOD 30 min after live |
| MENA region | beIN Sports / TOD | From $19.99/month | 11:00 PM AST (Saudi Arabia) | Full tournament coverage |
How to use a VPN to watch the World Cup 2026 for free
ITVX streams England vs Croatia free in the UK, while SBS On Demand has all 104 World Cup matches free in English in Australia. Both services are geo-restricted to their home country, but a VPN lets you watch from anywhere – see our full FIFA World Cup 2026 free streaming guide for every country.
- Choose a reliable VPN. We recommend NordVPN for streaming. It operates thousands of servers across 224 locations, uses the fast NordLynx protocol for smooth HD streaming, and reliably unblocks ITVX, BBC iPlayer, and SBS On Demand.
- Install the VPN app on your device (Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, or a supported smart TV).
- Connect to a UK server to watch on ITVX, or an Australia server for SBS On Demand. This gives you a local IP address so the broadcaster recognizes you as in-region.
- Open ITVX or SBS On Demand in your browser or app. Create a free account if required (you'll need a UK or Australian postcode – any valid postcode from that country works).
Platforms like BBC iPlayer, ITVX, and SBS On Demand require you to create a free account. During registration, you will be asked for a local postal code. Simply Google and use any random, valid postal code from that specific country (e.g., a London postcode for the UK) to complete your registration.
Why you need a VPN to watch England vs Croatia
FIFA licenses World Cup broadcasting rights country by country, which means free broadcasters like ITVX in the UK and SBS On Demand in Australia block streams from outside their home country. If you try to watch from abroad, you'll see an error message like the one below.
A VPN changes your virtual location so the broadcaster recognizes you as in-region, unlocking the free stream. This also helps travelers and expats keep access to their paid home broadcaster like Fox Sports, TSN, or beIN Sports while abroad. Check our best VPNs for streaming guide for more options.
How to watch England vs Croatia free with a VPN – detailed guide
Step 1. Choose a VPN with UK or Australia servers
NordVPN is our top recommendation for watching England vs Croatia. It starts at $3.49/month on the 2-year plan and operates thousands of servers across 224 locations, including fast UK and Australia servers for ITVX and SBS On Demand. NordVPN uses the NordLynx protocol, which delivered 82% speed retention in our tests, making it ideal for smooth HD streaming of live football. It reliably unblocks ITVX, BBC iPlayer, and SBS On Demand, and includes Smart DNS support for smart TVs that don't support native VPN apps. All plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee. Read our full NordVPN review for performance benchmarks and feature details.
Step 2. Install the VPN app on your device
Download and install the NordVPN app on your device. NordVPN supports Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Android TV, Fire TV, and Apple TV. If you're watching on a Samsung or LG smart TV, you'll need to set up the VPN on your router or use NordVPN's Smart DNS feature.
Step 3. Connect to a UK or Australia server
Open the NordVPN app and connect to a server in the United Kingdom to access ITVX, or a server in Australia for SBS On Demand. The app will assign you a local IP address so the broadcaster recognizes you as in-region. Need help? See our guide on how to change your location with a VPN.
Step 4. Open ITVX or SBS On Demand
Go to ITVX or SBS On Demand in your browser or app. You'll need to create a free account if you don't have one. During registration, you'll be asked for a UK or Australian postcode. Simply Google any valid postcode from that country and use it to complete signup.
Step 5. Start watching England vs Croatia
Navigate to the live World Cup section and select the England vs Croatia match. The stream should load immediately. If you see a geo-block error, disconnect the VPN, clear your browser cookies, reconnect to a different UK or Australia server, and try again.
How to watch England vs Croatia on different devices
The easiest way to watch England vs Croatia with a VPN is in a desktop or mobile browser, because no app store account or app install is required. Just connect the VPN and open the ITVX or SBS On Demand website. Other devices like streaming sticks and smart TVs often add an extra step, usually switching the app store country or installing the VPN at the router level.
| Device | ITVX | SBS On Demand | Fox Sports | NordVPN | How to use VPN |
| Web browser (desktop) | Web | Web | Web | Yes | Native app |
| Web browser (mobile) | Web | Web | Web | Yes | Native app |
| iPhone / iPad | App | App | App | Yes | Native app |
| Android phone / tablet | App | App | App | Yes | Native app |
| Android TV / Google TV | App | App | App | Yes | Native app |
| Amazon Fire TV | App | App | App | Yes | Native app |
| Apple TV | App | App | App | Yes | Native app |
| Samsung TV (Tizen) | App | App | App | No | Smart DNS or router |
| LG TV (webOS) | App | App | No | No | Smart DNS or router |
| Roku | No | No | App | No | Router or Smart DNS |
| Chromecast (older) | Cast | Cast | Cast | No | Cast from VPN device |
| PlayStation | Web | Web | Web | No | Router |
| Xbox | Web | Web | Web | No | Router |
The web browser is the easiest path on any device. No app install, no app store region issues. Just connect the VPN and open the broadcaster's site. Devices without a native VPN app like Samsung TV, LG TV, Roku, PlayStation, and Xbox need either a router-level VPN setup or the provider's Smart DNS feature. NordVPN supports Smart DNS, which works on most smart TVs without installing anything. On iPhone and Apple TV, a VPN changes the IP but does not change the App Store country. The ITVX and SBS On Demand apps are region-locked at the store level, so you'll need an Apple ID set to the UK or Australia, or you can use the web browser instead. On Android and Fire TV, the ITVX and SBS apps are globally available, so just install and connect the VPN.
England vs Croatia match preview
Historical review
England and Croatia have met nine times in competitive and friendly matches, with England winning five, Croatia winning three, and one draw. The most recent meeting was at Euro 2020 in June 2021, where England won 1-0 in the group stage at Wembley thanks to a Raheem Sterling goal. But the encounter that looms largest is the 2018 World Cup semi-final in Moscow, where Croatia came from behind to win 2-1 in extra time after Mario Mandžukić's 109th-minute winner, ending England's dream of reaching a first final since 1966.
Current form
England enter the tournament in strong form after winning their last two pre-World Cup friendlies: a 3-0 victory over Costa Rica on June 12th and a 1-0 win against New Zealand in late May. Thomas Tuchel's side have been solid defensively and clinical in attack, with Harry Kane leading the line and Jude Bellingham pulling the strings from midfield. Croatia's preparation has been more mixed. They beat Slovenia 2-1 on June 7th but lost 0-2 to Belgium and 3-1 to Brazil in earlier friendlies, raising questions about their defensive solidity heading into the tournament.
Team news
England travel to Dallas without Phil Foden, who was controversially left out of the squad by Tuchel, and Harry Maguire, who is ruled out with injury. John Stones missed training in the days before the match and is a fitness doubt. Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka, and Declan Rice are all fit and expected to start. Croatia's squad is headlined by Luka Modrić, the 40-year-old AC Milan midfielder playing in his fifth World Cup. Modrić is joined by Mateo Kovačić (Manchester City), Joško Gvardiol at the back, and veteran forward Ivan Perišić. No major injury concerns were reported for Croatia ahead of the Group L opener.
Tournament context
Both teams are expected to advance from Group L, which also includes Ghana and Panama. England are heavy favorites to top the group and are among the tournament favorites overall, ranked fourth in the world. Croatia, ranked 11th, are looking to recapture the magic of their 2018 run to the final and their 2022 semi-final appearance. This is likely Modrić's final World Cup, adding emotional weight to Croatia's campaign. A win for England would settle the score from 2018 and set the tone for their title challenge. A win for Croatia would be a statement that they remain a force at major tournaments despite an aging core.
FAQ
Where can I watch England vs Croatia?
England vs Croatia streams on Fox Sports (cable or Fubo) and Telemundo (free OTA) in the United States, ITVX free in the UK, HRT free in Croatia, and SBS On Demand free in Australia. For a full breakdown of broadcasters by country, check the where-to-watch table above.
What time does England vs Croatia start?
England vs Croatia kicks off at 3:00 PM CT / 4:00 PM ET / 1:00 PM PT / 9:00 PM BST / 10:00 PM CEST on June 17th, 2026, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Australian viewers can watch at 6:00 AM AEST on June 18th.
How can I watch England vs Croatia from abroad with my home subscription?
If you're traveling abroad and want to watch on your home broadcaster like Fox Sports, TSN, ITVX, or beIN Sports, you'll find the stream is geo-blocked when you log in from outside your home country. A VPN solves this by changing your virtual location back to your home country, so the broadcaster recognizes your subscription as valid. This is a legitimate use case for travelers and expats who are paying for the service and simply want to access it while away. See our guide to the best VPNs for streaming for reliable options that work with sports broadcasters worldwide.
Can I watch England vs Croatia for free?
Yes. England vs Croatia streams free on ITVX in the UK and SBS On Demand in Australia. Both services offer the match in English with no subscription required, though you'll need to create a free account. Both are geo-restricted to their home countries, so you'll need a VPN to watch from abroad. In Croatia, HRT streams the match free as well.
Where can I watch highlights and replays?
FIFA+ (plus.fifa.com) publishes free highlights worldwide with no account required. The FIFA YouTube channel posts goal compilations and match highlights shortly after each game. In the United States, Tubi offers free on-demand replays of all 104 World Cup matches starting 30 minutes after the live broadcast. ITVX, SBS On Demand, and HRT also offer on-demand replays in their respective countries, accessible via VPN from abroad using the same method as the live stream. Broadcaster YouTube channels like ITV Football and SBS Sport may also post clips.
What channel is England vs Croatia on in the UK?
England vs Croatia is on ITVX in the UK. ITVX is ITV's free streaming service and carries this match as part of the BBC/ITV World Cup split. You can watch on the ITVX app or website at 9:00 PM BST on June 17th.
What channel is England vs Croatia on in Croatia?
England vs Croatia is on HRT (Hrvatska Radiotelevizija) in Croatia. HRT streams all Croatia matches free on its HRTi platform and broadcasts them on HRT 1 and HRT 2. Kickoff is at 10:00 PM CEST on June 17th.
Can I watch England vs Croatia in Spanish in the United States?
Yes. Telemundo broadcasts the match free over-the-air in Spanish in the United States at 4:00 PM ET / 1:00 PM PT. Telemundo is available free with an antenna or via cable. All 104 World Cup matches are also available in Spanish on Peacock streaming ($10.99/month for Peacock Premium).
What's at stake in England vs Croatia?
England vs Croatia is the Group L opener and a rematch of the 2018 World Cup semi-final, where Croatia beat England 2-1 in extra time to reach the final. England are looking for revenge and to set the tone for their title challenge, while Croatia, led by 40-year-old Luka Modrić in his likely final World Cup, want to prove they can still compete with Europe's elite. Both teams are expected to advance from Group L, so this match could determine who tops the group and gets a more favorable Round of 16 draw.
