ITV will show two of Three Lions’ group games live while BBC gets just one, analysis has revealed. The broadcaster is feared to be unlucky and has ‘hampered’ England for decades
England must overcome the curse of ITV to make the World Cup knockout stages.
The traditionally unlucky broadcaster is showing two out of three of the Three Lions’ Group L games live – the opener against Croatia and third match versus Panama.
Whereas the BBC – dubbed the ‘Better Bet Channel’ by long-suffering telly football fans – is only screening the second match against Ghana. The TV schedule for next summer’s World Cup showdown in the US, Mexico and Canada made troubling viewing for supporters of Thomas Tuchel ’s team as they usually perform better in games shown by the Beeb.
According to FourFourTwo magazine England’s ‘ITV curse has hampered the Three Lions for decades’. Since 1998 England have a 75% win ratio in matches shown by the BBC during World Cups. That is made up of 12 wins, a draw and three defeats.
The Lions’ win rate drops to just 18% for matches shown on ITV – comprising just three victories, six draws and eight losses.
ITV has screened many of the nation’s lowest moments including heartbreaking World Cup defeats to France and Croatia and the humiliating Euro 2016 exit at the hands of Iceland. Going back further they brought us the World Cup penalty shootout losses to Portugal and Argentina both of which occurred after England’s star player was sent off – Wayne Rooney in 2006 and David Beckham in 1998.
Over the same period the BBC’s form when it comes to England matches is far better.
The magazine said: “The England ITV curse is part of the discussion around any international tournament these days, on a list with goalkeepers complaining about the new ball and newspapers ramping up the clamour for one of the bench to be given a start based on club form.
“Some people believe that England play worse on old Channel 3 despite the fact that it couldn’t possibly make the blindest bit of difference. Well, guess what? It’s real – and England won’t be winning a darn thing if it’s not on the Beeb.”
If England can somehow qualify from the group the BBC will screen three of their scheduled knockout clashes – the rounds of 32 and 16 plus the semi-final. Both networks will show the final.
The schedule reveals just how much fans will have to burn the midnight oil to watch the tournament. Some of the 29 group matches ITV plans to show live kick off at 5am UK time. Others will start at 1am, 2am and 3am.
England’s opening two matches on June 17 and 23 kick off at 9pm.
The final group game against Panama on June 27 at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium – where the final will be played – starts at 10pm.
Scotland fans face even later nights. Their opening Group C match against Haiti on June 14 will not kick off until 2am. The team’s next two games against Morocco on June 19 and five-time winners Brazil on June 24 will both start at 11pm.
ITV’s director of sport Niall Sloane said he believes viewers will stay up to watch the action in what will be the ‘biggest World Cup in history’ showcasing the ‘very best football talent from around the globe’. He said: “Viewers will kick off the tournament with ITV as we broadcast the first two matches, including host nation Mexico v South Africa.
“ITV’s coverage will be live from the United States for the duration of the tournament, as we provide expert analysis covering every key moment across the competition. Fans can exclusively enjoy two of England’s group stage matches on ITV, including their first match against Croatia, plus Scotland’s group match against Morocco.
“We are proud to broadcast the FIFA World Cup here at ITV and ensure it stays free-to-air for the UK audience to enjoy all summer.”
The BBC’s director of sport Alex Kay-Jelski said: “We can’t wait to bring you the FIFA Men’s World Cup 2026. From (hopefully) England knockout games live on BBC1 and iPlayer to Scotland’s crunch matches with Haiti and Brazil to glamour games featuring Messi, Mbappe, Ronaldo, Yamal, Salah, Haaland and more, we will bring you the drama and analysis of the moments that matter.
“And for the ones you can’t stay up for, don’t worry, we will have you covered the next morning too.”
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