How to Watch England vs Croatia at FIFA World Cup 2026 on June 17
The stage is set for England and Croatia to clash once again in the FIFA World Cup 2026 group stage on June 17. The match takes place in Texas, where the pressure weighs heavily on the Three Lions. They have not won a major international tournament in 60 years. Croatia, known for their resilience and semi-final appearances, come ready to challenge England’s ambitions.
Thomas Tuchel, the first German to coach England, faced questions over his squad choices but managed two clean sheets in pre-World Cup friendlies. England qualified perfectly without conceding any goals and have lost only one of their last eight opening matches at the World Cup. Harry Kane leads the attack, boasting eight goals from the previous two tournaments. Bukayo Saka is fit but being carefully managed. The squad arrives largely injury-free.
Croatia also remained unbeaten in qualifiers with seven wins and one draw. Their post-qualification friendlies were mixed, exposing some defensive weaknesses. Although Croatia has won just once in their last five World Cup openers, their consistency in recent tournaments stands out: back-to-back semi-finals and undefeated group stages. Veteran Luka Modrić might feature for a fifth World Cup, having scored in four of Croatia’s last five games. Defender Duje Ćaleta-Car remains doubtful due to a back injury. Croatia eliminated England in the 2018 semi-finals and holds the edge in recent head-to-heads.
Match Timing and Global Kickoff
The kickoff is set for 22:00 CET on June 17, 2026, at a Texas venue. Here are key local times:
- USA Eastern Time: 16:00 ET
- Texas (Central Time): 15:00 CT (local)
- United Kingdom / Ireland: 21:00 BST
- Germany / France / Italy / Spain: 22:00 CET
- Brazil / Argentina: 17:00 BRT / ART
- Australia (AEST): 07:00 (June 18)
- India: 01:30 IST (June 18)
- UAE / Qatar: 00:00 GST (June 18)
Broadcast and Streaming Options Worldwide
The match will be available on both free and subscription platforms depending on your country. In England, ITV and ITVX offer free coverage. In the US, rights belong to FOX One, Peacock, Telemundo, and Prime Video, though Peacock and Prime Video need active subscriptions (starting around $7.99 and $8.99 per month respectively). Germany’s ZDF provides free online streaming. Many countries require paid sports packages like DAZN, beIN Sports, or SuperSport. The table below lists broadcasters by country.
Watching From Anywhere Using a VPN
Broadcast rights vary by location. If you find a stream blocked in your country, a VPN can help by routing your connection through a server where the broadcast is available. This tricks the platform into thinking you're watching locally.
VPN apps work on iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, and Smart TVs. To use one:
- Download and install a VPN app.
- Connect to a server in a country broadcasting the match, such as the UK for ITVX.
- Open the streaming service, sign in if needed, and watch live.
We recommend NordVPN, which has over 9,500 servers in 224 locations and covers 10 devices with one account. Currently, there is an offer of 76% off plus three extra months starting from $3.09/month with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Viewing via Licensed Sportsbooks
Many sportsbooks with streaming rights let you watch matches for free if your account has funds. This is a simple alternative to buying a sports subscription. Steps include:
- Register on a sportsbook that streams the match (age and regional restrictions apply).
- Deposit the minimum amount required to unlock streaming.
- Find the England vs Croatia game in the live sports section and click the play icon to start watching.
Check beforehand that the sportsbook offers this specific match. Some platforms may also require a recent bet to activate the stream.
Don’t Miss the Action
With Harry Kane seeking goals and Luka Modrić potentially influencing the match, this encounter promises intensity from start to finish. For post-match stats, reactions, and analysis, visit TipsGG.
