World Cup 2026 matches today, June 23rd: kickoff times and how to watch
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Four compelling World Cup 2026 matches unfold on Tuesday, June 23rd, spanning three time zones across North America. Portugal vs Uzbekistan, England vs Ghana, Panama vs Croatia, and Colombia vs DR Congo kick off between 12:00 PM ET and 10:00 PM ET. Portugal can secure qualification with a win over debutants Uzbekistan in Houston, while England face Ghana in a Group L clash at Boston Stadium. In Toronto, Panama and Croatia meet in a must-win battle after both lost their opening fixtures, and Colombia lead Group K into their evening showdown with DR Congo in Guadalajara.
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.
World Cup 2026 matches on June 23rd: kickoff times
| Match | Stage | Venue | ET / PT | UK (BST) | Where to watch |
| Portugal vs Uzbekistan | Group K MD2 | Houston Stadium | 12:00 PM ET / 9:00 AM PT | 5:00 PM BST | LiveModeTV (Portugal free), Fox Sports, Telemundo, ITVX |
| England vs Ghana | Group L MD2 | Boston Stadium | 4:00 PM ET / 1:00 PM PT | 9:00 PM BST | Fox Sports, Telemundo, BBC iPlayer, SuperSport (Ghana/Africa free) |
| Panama vs Croatia | Group L MD2 | Toronto Stadium | 7:00 PM ET / 4:00 PM PT | 12:00 AM BST | Fox Sports, Telemundo, ITVX |
| Colombia vs DR Congo | Group K MD2 | Guadalajara Stadium | 10:00 PM ET / 7:00 PM PT | 3:00 AM BST | Fox Sports, Telemundo, ITVX |
Australian viewers: England vs Ghana starts at 6:00 AM AEST on June 24th; Panama vs Croatia starts at 9:00 AM AEST on June 24th; Colombia vs DR Congo starts at 12:00 PM AEST on June 24th.
How to use a VPN to watch the World Cup 2026 for free
LiveModeTV streams Portugal's match free in Portugal, SuperSport carries Ghana's game free across sub-Saharan Africa, and BBC iPlayer and ITVX show all four matches free in English in the UK. All 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 - I recommend NordVPN, now with 75%% OFF
- Download the VPN and create an account
- Connect to a server in the UK or Australia for a free English broadcast
- Go to the broadcaster's website and start streaming the matches
BBC iPlayer and ITVX ask for a UK postcode during signup. Use a real one from a major city – e.g., SW1A 1AA (Westminster, London) or M1 1AE (Manchester city centre). The platforms verify the postcode format but do not cross-check your address. This unlocks free access to all World Cup matches in English.
June 23rd World Cup match guide
Portugal vs Uzbekistan
Portugal need just a point to guarantee progression from Group K after their opening-day win, while Uzbekistan face a must-win scenario following their narrow defeat to Colombia. Portugal have won all five of their recent internationals heading into the tournament, with Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes orchestrating attacks, while Uzbekistan's Eldor Shomurodov offers pace and finishing quality up front. Portugal fans can watch free on LiveModeTV via YouTube, while all matches stream free in English on BBC iPlayer and ITVX in the UK with a VPN.
England vs Ghana
England sit top of Group L on three points after a 4-2 opening win over Croatia, while Ghana bounced back from early tournament jitters to edge Panama 1-0. England have won four of their last five matches heading into the World Cup, with Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham forming a potent attacking axis, while Ghana rely on Thomas Partey's midfield control and Antoine Semenyo's directness. Ghana supporters can tune in free on SuperSport across sub-Saharan Africa, while UK viewers get free coverage on BBC iPlayer.
Panama vs Croatia
This is a virtual elimination match – both Panama and Croatia lost their opening fixtures and sit on zero points in Group L. Croatia suffered a heavy 4-2 defeat to England, while Panama fell 1-0 to Ghana, leaving both sides needing a win to keep knockout hopes alive. Croatia's Luka Modrić remains their creative heartbeat despite his age, while Panama look to Adalberto Carrasquilla for midfield energy. ITVX streams the match free in the UK.
Colombia vs DR Congo
Colombia lead Group K after a confident opening win over Uzbekistan and can take a major step toward the knockout stage with victory over DR Congo. Colombia have won three of their last five matches heading into the tournament, with James Rodríguez and Luis Díaz offering creativity and goals, while DR Congo's Chancel Mbemba anchors the defence. ITVX carries the match free in the UK with a VPN.
Frequently asked questions about World Cup 2026 matches on June 23rd
What World Cup matches are on today, June 23rd?
Four matches take place on Tuesday, June 23rd, 2026. Portugal vs Uzbekistan kicks off at 12:00 PM ET in Houston, England vs Ghana starts at 4:00 PM ET in Boston, Panama vs Croatia begins at 7:00 PM ET in Toronto, and Colombia vs DR Congo kicks off at 10:00 PM ET in Guadalajara.
Can I watch today's World Cup matches for free?
Yes. Portugal vs Uzbekistan streams free on LiveModeTV in Portugal. England vs Ghana is free on BBC iPlayer in the UK and SuperSport across sub-Saharan Africa. Panama vs Croatia and Colombia vs DR Congo both stream free on ITVX in the UK. All UK and Australian streams (BBC iPlayer, ITVX, SBS On Demand) are geo-restricted but accessible worldwide with a VPN.
What channel is England vs Ghana on?
In the United States, England vs Ghana airs on Fox Sports (English) and Telemundo (Spanish). In the UK, the match streams free on BBC iPlayer and broadcasts on BBC One. SuperSport carries the match free across sub-Saharan Africa for Ghana supporters. Australian viewers can watch free on SBS On Demand. All require a VPN if you're outside the broadcaster's home country.
How can I watch World Cup 2026 matches in Spanish in the US?
Telemundo broadcasts 92 of the 104 World Cup matches free over-the-air in Spanish, including all four matches on June 23rd. The remaining 12 matches air on Universo (cable). All 104 matches stream in Spanish on Peacock (from $10.99/month). Fox Sports carries English-language coverage but does not offer Spanish commentary.
