How to watch World Cup 2026 matches today, June 17th
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Portugal vs DR Congo, England vs Croatia, Ghana vs Panama, and Uzbekistan vs Colombia take the stage on June 17th, with kickoffs spanning from 1:00 pm ET to 10:00 pm ET. ITVX streams the England match free in the UK, while RTVE and HRT offer free coverage for Portugal and Croatia fans, respectively. All four matches stream free in English on ITVX and BBC iPlayer in the UK and on SBS On Demand in Australia – each geo-restricted but unlockable with a VPN.
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 day opens with Portugal facing DR Congo in Houston at 1:00 pm ET, followed by the marquee England vs Croatia clash in Dallas at 4:00 pm ET. Ghana and Panama meet in Toronto at 7:00 pm ET, while Uzbekistan makes its World Cup debut against Colombia in the late window at 10:00 pm ET.
World Cup 2026 matches on June 17th: kickoff times
| Match | Stage | Venue | ET / PT | UK (BST) | Where to watch |
| Portugal vs DR Congo | Group K MD1 | Houston | 1:00 PM ET / 10:00 AM PT | 6:00 PM | Fox Sports, Telemundo, ITVX |
| England vs Croatia | Group L MD1 | Dallas | 4:00 PM ET / 1:00 PM PT | 9:00 PM | HRT (Croatia), Fox Sports, ITVX |
| Ghana vs Panama | Group L MD1 | Toronto | 7:00 PM ET / 4:00 PM PT | 12:00 AM (June 18) | Fox Sports, Telemundo, ITVX |
| Uzbekistan vs Colombia | Group J MD1 | TBD | 10:00 PM ET / 7:00 PM PT | 3:00 AM (June 18) | Caracol TV (Colombia), Fox Sports, ITVX |
*Australian viewers: Ghana vs Panama starts at 9:00 am AEST on June 18th and Uzbekistan vs Colombia starts at 12:00 pm AEST on June 18th.
How to use a VPN to watch the World Cup 2026 for free
ITVX streams England vs Croatia free in the UK, HRT carries Croatia's matches free in Croatian, and Caracol Television offers free coverage of Colombia vs Uzbekistan in Colombia. All matches stream free in English on ITVX and BBC iPlayer in the UK and on SBS On Demand in Australia. Each broadcaster geo-blocks streams outside their home country, but a VPN lets you watch from anywhere – see our full FIFA World Cup 2026 free streaming guide for every country.
- Subscribe to a VPN. We recommend NordVPN – it starts at $3.49/month on a 2-year plan, runs thousands of servers across 224 locations, and reliably unblocks BBC iPlayer, ITVX, and SBS On Demand for smooth HD streaming.
- Install the VPN app on your device (Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, smart TV, Fire TV, or Apple TV).
- Connect to a server in the United Kingdom or Australia. Pick a UK server for ITVX or BBC iPlayer, or an Australian server for SBS On Demand.
- Open the broadcaster and start streaming. Create a free account if prompted, then find your match in the World Cup section.
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.
June 17th World Cup match guide
Portugal vs DR Congo
Portugal opens Group K against DR Congo in a match that pits European experience against African ambition. Portugal enters as one of the tournament favorites, while DR Congo qualified through the African playoffs and looks to make their mark on the world stage. Cristiano Ronaldo leads Portugal's attack, while DR Congo's Chancel Mbemba anchors the defense.
Portuguese fans can follow the action via RTVE if Spain carries the match, while UK and Australian viewers have guaranteed free access via ITVX and SBS On Demand respectively.
England vs Croatia
England and Croatia renew their rivalry in a Group L opener that recalls their dramatic 2018 World Cup semifinal. England arrives with a young, dynamic squad built around Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham, while Croatia's golden generation led by Luka Modrić aims for one more deep run. Both teams enter as group favorites, making this early clash crucial for seeding.
ITVX streams the match free in the UK, while HRT offers free Croatian-language coverage for Croatia supporters.
Ghana vs Panama
Ghana and Panama meet in Toronto in a Group L clash between two teams seeking their first points. Ghana returns to the World Cup after missing out in 2022, bringing a blend of European-based talent and local stars, led by Mohammed Kudus. Panama qualified through CONCACAF and looks to improve on their 2018 debut.
SuperSport carries the match across sub-Saharan Africa for Ghana fans, while Panama supporters can watch free on Medcom and TVN Media in Panama.
Uzbekistan vs Colombia
Uzbekistan makes its World Cup debut against Colombia in a late-night Group J kickoff. Uzbekistan qualified as an Asian playoff winner, marking a historic first appearance at the tournament. Colombia brings South American flair and experience, led by James Rodríguez and a strong attacking core.
Zo'r TV streams Uzbekistan's historic match free in Uzbek, while Caracol Television and Canal RCN offer free coverage in Colombia.
FAQ
What World Cup matches are on today, June 17th?
Four matches take place on June 17th, 2026: Portugal vs DR Congo at 1:00 pm ET, England vs Croatia at 4:00 pm ET, Ghana vs Panama at 7:00 pm ET, and Uzbekistan vs Colombia at 10:00 pm ET. All four are opening group-stage fixtures across Groups K, L, and J.
What time do the World Cup matches start on June 17th?
Portugal vs DR Congo kicks off at 1:00 PM ET / 10:00 AM PT / 6:00 PM BST. England vs Croatia starts at 4:00 PM ET / 1:00 PM PT / 9:00 PM BST. Ghana vs Panama begins at 7:00 PM ET / 4:00 PM PT / 12:00 AM BST (June 18th). Uzbekistan vs Colombia kicks off at 10:00 PM ET / 7:00 PM PT / 3:00 AM BST (June 18th).
Can I watch today's World Cup matches for free?
Yes. ITVX streams all four matches free in the UK (England vs Croatia confirmed), HRT carries Croatia's match free in Croatian, Caracol Television offers free Colombia coverage, and SBS On Demand streams all matches free in English in Australia. Each requires a reliable VPN like NordVPN to access from outside their home country.
What channel is England vs Croatia on?
England vs Croatia airs on ITVX in the UK (free with a UK postcode), HRT in Croatia (free), Fox Sports in the US (cable/streaming), and SBS On Demand in Australia (free). The match kicks off at 4:00 pm ET / 9:00 pm BST from AT&T Stadium in Dallas.
How can I watch in Spanish in the US?
Telemundo carries 92 of 104 World Cup matches free over-the-air in Spanish, including most June 17th fixtures. All 104 matches stream in Spanish on Peacock Premium ($10.99/month). Check local listings to confirm which of the four June 17th matches air on Telemundo OTA versus Universo (cable).
