2026 World Cup/United Kingdom: 14.2 million viewers for England - Croatia on ITV1

England - Croatia (4-2), on Matchday 1 of the 2026 World Cup group stage (Group L), drew an average of 14.2 million viewers with a peak of 15.4 million on the private free-TV channel ITV1, on Wednesday 17 June 2026 (kick-off at 21:00 GMT, 22:00 CET), according to data from the audience measurement institute BARB (Broadcasters’ Audience Research Board).

During the 2022 World Cup, England’s opening match against Iran (6-2) drew an average of 7.4 million viewers with a peak at 8.1 million on the public-TV channel BBC One on Monday 21 November 2022 (kick-off at 13:00 GMT, 14:00 CET), according to BARB. The match also recorded 8 million live views on the BBC’s digital platforms (BBC iPlayer, the BBC Sport website and app).

• In France, the match drew an average of 3.51 million viewers on the free-TV channel M6, according to data from the audience measurement institute Médiamétrie.
  • Audience share: 28.8%.
  • The match was also broadcast on the pay-TV channel beIN SPORTS 1.

2026 World Cup: 100% of matches free-to-air in the UK, 58% in Germany, 52% in France, 32% in Spain

France

M6…