The games are coming thick and fast in the truncated 2022 World Cup, with another four group stages fixtures to enjoy today.
After Argentina succumbed to a shock 2-1 defeat to Saudi Arabia on Tuesday the shocks continued yesterday with Germany conceding two late goals to lose to Japan, although Spain made short work of Costa Rica in a 7-0 rout.
Today, favourites Brazil are in action for the first time at Qatar 2022, while we will also see Cristiano Ronaldo for the first time since his dramatic departure from Manchester United – here’s how to watch all the games live.
What World Cup games on on TV today?
Thursday’s action kicks off with Switzerland vs Cameroon, which kicks off at 10am (all timings are for the UK – Qatar is three hours ahead) at the Al Janoub Stadium in Al Wakrah.
The opening Group G clash is being aired on ITV, with build-up starting at 9am. Laura Woods is hosting, with commentary from Seb Hutchinson and Andros Townsend, and studio analysis from Nigel de Jong, Nadia Nadim and Hal Robson-Kanu.
Attention then shifts to Group H, with Uruguay vs South Korea at the Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan kicking off at 1pm.
Live coverage switches to BBC One for the lunchtime clash, with the broadcast starting at 12.45pm. Gabby Logan is presenting, with commentary from Pien Meulensteen and Danny Murphy.
Next up is Portugal vs Ghana in Group H, which kicks off at 4pm from Stadium 974 in Doha.
That fixture is on ITV from 3pm, with Mark Pougatch joined in the studio by Roy Keane, Graeme Souness and Joe Cole, and Jon Champion and Ally McCoist providing commentary.
Thursday’s final match is Brazil vs Serbia in Group G, which kicks off at 7pm at the Lusail Stadium.
BBC One is showing the day’s last fixture, with build-up from 6.30pm. Gary Lineker is anchoring the coverage, with Guy Mowbray and Martin Keown on comms.
Can I watch on BBC iPlayer or ITVX?
As per the TV licensing website, you need to pay for a TV licence in order to watch BBC iPlayer, and this applies for “live, catch up or on demand”, with “any device and provider you use”.
It adds: “Don’t forget, you still need a TV licence to watch live on any channel, TV service or streaming service.” This means that you also need one to watch live World Cup action on the ITVX (formerly ITV Hub) service.
However, you do not need a TV licence to watch non-BBC programmes on online catch-up services, so you will still be allowed to watch ITV’s World Cup highlights (but not BBC) after they are broadcast.
A TV licence costs £159 a year for both homes and businesses, and covers any TV sets, laptops, tablets, phones and other devices that can receive a TV signal in a single property.
You can check if you need to purchase one on the TV licensing website here, and can buy your licence via the link here.
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All eyes will be on Brazil and Portugal as they make they appear for the first time in Qatar.
The Ronaldo saga has dominated the build-up to Portugal’s opening group match, but Bruno Fernandes insists the side are “focused 100 per cent” on the World Cup.
Speaking ahead of the clash with Ghana, Ronaldo’s now ex-Manchester United teammate said: “We are all focused 100 per cent on the national team and the World Cup. We are all aware of what we have to do.
“We are in a championship that is the dream of every player and a competition where every player wants to play.”
He added: “I don’t feel uncomfortable, I don’t have to pick a side. Cristiano has always been an inspiration for me so it was a dream come true to be able to play with him but we know nothing ever lasts forever.
“It was good while it lasted. We have to respect his decision, whether we agree or not.”
And Ghana captain Andre Ayew cautioned against assuming the headlines will prove a distraction for their opponents on Thursday.
He said: “It is not our problem what is happening within the Portuguese team. They are all great professionals playing at top teams and they will be ready for the World Cup, whatever else is happening.
“We go into this game with Portugal favorites on paper. But we have to show that it is more important what happens on the pitch. We are playing a big side with top players, but we believe in ourselves and will make it very difficult for them.”
Brazil go into their clash with Serbia as the pre-tournament favourites, but their captain Thiago Silva says the Selecao face “fierce competition” in Qatar.
It is now 20 years since the South American giants have lifted the trophy. However, Brazil are number one in the Fifa world rankings and Silva urged fans to “please believe in us” as they aim to fare better than they managed in 2018, when they were defeated by Belgium in the quarter-finals.
He said: “We know that it is a fierce competition and we needed to be ready, first of all for the first match.
“We all know the importance that the first match has to deal with our nerves and in that sense, we are confident that we will have a good performance.
“We truly believe in everything we have done up to today and are about to make our first appearance in the World Cup in a very favourable position, in the sense of being well in all ways.
“What I can tell the Brazil fans is please believe in us – rest assured that we are ready to do a great World Cup.”
Neymar needs just two goals to equal Pelé’s all-time national scoring record, and his captain said he was confident that the forward – who has had mixed fortunes in past tournaments – can deliver on the biggest stage.
Silva said: “Now with a different preparation, without any injury and any worry, we see a better Neymar.
“He is humble and our group will make Neymar even more at ease with us. We will share our responsibilities as players, and that will help us to move forward.
“Our interaction will help him to play better and we need to take advantage of this best Neymar mode.”
Additional reporting from Press Association
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