The BBC and ITV have confirmed which broadcaster will show which matches during the highly-anticipated 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
All 64 matches from the tournament will be shown live on terrestrial television across BBC One, BBC Red Button, ITV and ITV4 from June 14 to July 15 next year.
The BBC will broadcast England’s opening two games which will see them face Tunisia on Monday, 18 June, kicking off at 7pm, followed by Panama on Sunday, 24 June at 1pm, while ITV will show the Three Lions’ final group game against Belgium on Thursday, 28 June at 7pm.
ITV will kick off live coverage of the whole tournament with the opening ceremony followed by the opening match between hosts Russia and Saudi Arabia on Thursday, 14 June.
In the Group stages, the BBC will also show the hotly anticipated clash between 2010 World Cup winners Spain and European champions Portugal, two peak time matches with Lionel Messi’s Argentina and two matches featuring reigning world champions Germany, while ITV will show all three of Brazil’s group games.
In the knockout phase, ITV will have first choice of live matches in the round of 16 as well as the first pick semi-final, in an alternating system with the BBC, with the corporation having the first two choices of the quarter-final ties.
Both BBC One and ITV will again simulcast the FIFA World Cup Final, which will be staged at Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium on Sunday, 15 July, kicking off at 4pm.
Commenting on the BBC’s chosen live matches, Philip Bernie, BBC Head of TV Sport, said:
“We’re delighted with our selection of matches, which sees the BBC bring England’s first two games of the competition live to our audiences – as well as their potential quarter final.
“We are also very pleased to be showcasing the skills of the world’s best players, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, in five of their Group matches.
“The BBC is proud to be offering such an enticing array of games on football’s biggest stage, as we look to deliver to audiences unprecedented, extensive access to World Cup content across TV, radio, online and social media.”
Niall Sloane, ITV’s Director of Sport, said:
“The build up to the World Cup has now begun and we’re looking forward to bringing viewers entertaining and comprehensive coverage on ITV, ITV4 and the ITV Hub, as well as on social media.
“Once again, the World Cup starts on ITV with the host country’s opening game on 14 June and we have live coverage of some of most outstanding matches drawn from the group stages with England v Belgium as well as all three of tournament joint favourites Brazil’s games.
“ITV will have the first two picks of the first knock-out phase and the first pick of the semi-finals. ITV’s on and off screen team will be busy during the next six months preparing to bring our viewers all the best action and insight and all the stories that will shape the World Cup in Russia.”
The two free-to-air broadcasters broadcasters chose their split of the 64 matches for the tournament following a round of negotiations made after the draw in Moscow on 1 December.
In the last 16 stage, ITV will have the first two picks, with one almost certain to be England assuming they advance, with BBC taking the third choice and ITV the fourth.
In the quarter-finals, the BBC have the first two picks, with ITV taking the other two, while ITV will screen the third place play-off on 14 July.
Details of both broadcaster’s full on-air line-ups and presentation teams will be confirmed closer to the tournament. ITV has already confirmed the signing of Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville to its team for the tournament, which kicks off on 14 June.
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