The World Cup group stages are drawing to a close, with Groups E and F being decided today.
Argentina secured their place in the last 16 on Wednesday night by topping Group C with a 2-0 victory over Poland, while Australia beat Denmark 1-0 to escape Group D along with France.
Poland managed to scrape through despite their defeat. At one point, they were level with Mexico on points, goal difference and goals scored, and were heading into the next round based on having received fewer yellow cards. However, Saudi Arabia scored a consolation goal against the Mexicans deep into injury time that meant Poland could progress on goal difference.
The 2022 World Cup is being broadcast on free-to-air television in the UK, with the BBC and ITV sharing the rights – here’s how to watch all the action live on Thursday.
What are the World Cup games on TV today?
For the final round of fixtures, games in the same group are played at the same time. This is because playing later could give one team an advantage, as they would know exactly what they would need to do to progress to the knockouts.
The final Group F fixtures will be played at 3pm, with both games on the BBC.
Coverage of Croatia vs Belgium starts at 2.30pm on BBC One from the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan. Gary Lineker presents, with commentary from Steve Bower and Jermaine Jenas.
Canada vs Morocco at the Al Thumama Stadium in Doha is over on BBC Two, with coverage beginning at 2.45pm. Gabby Logan presents, with Robyn Cowen and Martin Keown on commentary duties.
The final Group F fixtures kick off at 7pm, with coverage on ITV.
Japan vs Spain will be on ITV1, starting at 6.15pm. The game comes from Khalifa International Stadium in Doha.
Costa Rica vs Germany is on ITV4, also starting at 6.15pm, at Al Bayt Stadium.
Can I watch on BBC iPlayer or ITVX?
As per the TV licensing website, you need to pay for a TV licence 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 television 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.
What can we expect from the World Cup today?
Belgium boss, Roberto Martinez, insists reports of a squad bust-up following the defeat to Morocco are “fake news” as his side prepare for their final World Cup group game against Croatia.
The Red Devils have endured a difficult start to the tournament, with an unconvincing 1-0 win over Canada followed by a 2-0 humbling at the hands of Morocco four days later.
Belgium, ranked second in Fifa’s rankings, sit third in Group F and will have to overcome group leaders Croatia in their last match if they are to advance to the last 16.
Martinez claimed members of his squad were not happy with their performances but wants people to get behind “the best generation” of players to pull on a Belgium shirt rather than find negative news.
Croatia have picked up four points from their two matches, and Martinez knows the size of the task if Belgium want to progress.
“We are facing one of the best nations in the tournament, we know that,” he continued. “They finished second in 2018 and we know the quality they have.
“They have a togetherness, a competitive edge, they have synergy with the coach who has been there for a very long time, so this will be a challenge.”
Morocco would advance with a victory or a draw on Thursday against already-eliminated Canada, and also could reach the round of 16 with a loss depending on the result of Belgium’s match with Croatia.
Morocco and Canada have met once previously, a 4-0 victory by the Atlas Lions in a 2016 friendly as Hakim Ziyech scored twice.
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Spain coach, Luis Enrique, will not take any risks against Japan with progress to the knockout stage still in the balance.
Although the 2010 champions need only a point to qualify, all four nations have a chance of making the last 16 and, after Germany’s shock defeat to the Asian nation, nothing can be ruled out.
Seven outfield players have yet to register a minute’s action in Qatar, but Enrique said that does not come into his thinking until the job is done.
“It is a reality. We have spoken about it with the players,” he said.
“Some of the 26 may end up not playing at all – we all know how it works.
“Don’t write Costa Rica off, they can win against Germany. Any of the four nations can still go through and that is very telling.”
Germany coach, Hansi Flick, has no plans to step down if the four-time world champions crash out of the World Cup early for the second straight tournament, he said on Wednesday.
Flick, who took over last year after Joachim Loew’s 15 years at the helm, has seen his team lose their Group E opener to Japan before rescuing a 1-1 draw with Spain thanks to a late equaliser.
The Germans were eliminated in the first round at the 2018 World Cup, at that time their earliest exit in over 80 years.
Germany have their backs to the wall in their last match, needing a win to have any chance of progressing to the knockout stage.
Victory over Costa Rica, who lost 7-0 in their opener to Spain, coupled with a win for Spain against Japan, would see them through along with the Spaniards.
A draw between Spain and Japan in the other game, however, or even a win for Japan, would take the equation to goal difference.
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