What TV channel is England vs France on today? Kick-off time, live stream and how to watch World Cup 2022

England are facing France in a crunch World Cup clash today with a place in the semi-final at stake.

Gareth Southgate’s side go into Saturday’s fixture full of confidence as the tournament’s joint leading scorers, with 12 goals in four matches so far.

They dispatched Senegal 3-0 in the first knockout round, with goals from Jordan Henderson, Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka.

However, they will face a much sterner challenge against the 2018 champions, who boast an in-form Kylian Mbappe – the frontrunner for this year’s golden boot.

What TV channel is England vs France on today?

England vs France is being shown live on ITV, with all the build-up starting at 6pm.

All matches are therefore also available to live stream for free on either BBC iPlayer or the new ITVX streaming platform, depending on which broadcaster is airing that fixture.

Saturday’s clash airing on ITV means many online viewers will get their first experience of ITVX following its official launch on 8 December.

The World Cup quarter-final kicks off at 7pm (UK time, Qatar being three hours ahead), and is being played at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor.

It is a venue that holds mixed memories for the Three Lions – it is the same ground where they beat Senegal in the round of 16, but also drew 0-0 with the US in the group stages.

Kylian Mbappe has been in superb form for France in Qatar (Photo: Reuters)

What can you expect from England vs France?

England captain Harry Kane said that belief is building that their squad is good enough to win the World Cup ahead of Saturday’s clash.

The Tottenham striker said: “Looking back in 2018, we didn’t really know what to expect from the group.

“We went there with belief we could win it, but it was almost a new experience. We got to the semi-finals and everyone was over the moon, but whether we had full belief to go and win the tournament, I am not sure.

“But we backed that up by reaching the final of the Euros and the belief has been growing.

“We lost in the Euros by a couple of kicks of the ball and we have entered this tournament believing we can win and it is about trying to push on. We go into the (France) game with more belief than we did in 2018.”

Southgate added that mentality is key as England prepare to fight the reigning World Cup winners, having never beaten an elite nation in a knockout match on foreign soil.

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He said that his side’s recent tournament experience should stand them in good stead today: “In terms of our experiences, I think those big matches for the team are important reference points, really.

“They’ve had to come through many different ways of winning games.

“Some defeats that have hurt but we’ve learned a lot from and I think they prepare you for nights like tomorrow, where you’ve got to produce the very best version of yourselves.

“The mentality is key, really. There’s the belief and the mentality that we deserve to be there and we’re ready to fight France for that place in the semi-final.”

England have faced one question repeatedly ahead of the quarter-final: how do you stop Kylian Mbappe?

The 23-year-old striker has scored five goals and assisted two in four appearances in Qatar, with France manager Didier Deschamps acknowledging that he would be getting special attention from England.

He said: “I’m sure England will have prepared to face Kylian. But Kylian is in the position to make a difference. Kylian is Kylian and he always will be.”

Defender Dayot Upamecano added: “He cannot be compared to other players.”

Who will England play if they beat France?

If England are victorious on Saturday, then they will then face the winners of the day’s other quarter-final – so Morocco or Portugal – in the semis.

The sides will battle it out for a spot in the final on Wednesday 14 December at Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor, at 7pm, with the clash broadcast live on BBC One from 6.30pm.

Victory there will, of course, mean the Three Lions earn a spot in just their second World Cup final, which is taking place at the Lusail Iconic Stadium on Sunday 18 December, with kick-off at 3pm.

England would face one of the semi-finalists from the other half of the draw in the final – either Croatia or Argentina.

After sharing broadcasting rights throughout the tournament, the Qatar 2022 final will be aired live on both BBC One and ITV.

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