Football Today: Colombia vs Portugal makes Sunday 28 June a hinge day at the FIFA World Cup 2026. For UK viewers, the schedule is split cleanly in two: the overnight hours close out the final group-stage fixtures, while the evening opens a brand-new chapter of the tournament — the Round of 32, staged for the first time in World Cup history.
If you are wondering what football is on today, what time the matches kick off and which channel is showing them in the UK, this is the full rundown, The WP Times reports. All kick-off times below are in British Summer Time (BST). Every match across the tournament is being shown free-to-air on BBC or ITV, with streaming available on BBC iPlayer and ITVX, meaning no subscription is required to follow the action.
What's on today: the quick answer
In the early hours, the last four group-stage matches settle Groups K and J. Then, after a daytime gap, the knockout phase begins in the evening with the very first Round of 32 tie. In short: late-night group drama, followed by the start of win-or-go-home football.
World Cup 2026 fixtures on Sunday 28 June (UK time)
| Time (BST) | Match | Stage | Channel |
|---|---|---|---|
| 00:30 | Colombia v Portugal | Group K | BBC One / iPlayer |
| 00:30 | DR Congo v Uzbekistan | Group K | BBC Two / iPlayer |
| 03:00 | Jordan v Argentina | Group J | BBC One / iPlayer |
| 03:00 | Algeria v Austria | Group J | BBC Two / iPlayer |
| 20:00 | South Africa v Canada | Round of 32 | BBC (TBC) / iPlayer |
Channel allocations for the knockout rounds are confirmed closer to kick-off, so it is always worth a final check on BBC Sport or ITV Sport before settling in.
Overnight: the last group-stage fixtures
Group K — Colombia v Portugal (00:30, BBC One)
The pick of the night. Colombia v Portugal kicks off at 00:30 on BBC One, with first place in Group K on the line at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. Colombia arrived top of the group on six points, needing only a draw to finish first, while Portugal — on four points after thrashing Uzbekistan 5-0 — had to win to leapfrog them. Live Football On TV
The subplot, as ever, was Cristiano Ronaldo, who against Uzbekistan became the first player to score at six different World Cups. Whoever finished top earned the gentler-looking Round of 32 route; the runner-up was lined up to meet the Group L runner-up in Toronto on 2 July.
Group K — DR Congo v Uzbekistan (00:30, BBC Two)
Played simultaneously at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. DR Congo went in chasing a slim qualification route, while Uzbekistan — already unable to finish in the top two after two defeats — were playing for pride and a long-shot place among the best third-placed teams. Note: this fixture is in Atlanta, not Houston (Houston hosted Portugal's 5-0 win over Uzbekistan earlier in the group).
Group J — Jordan v Argentina (03:00, BBC One)
The defending champions close their group in Arlington. Argentina, with Lionel Messi appearing in his sixth and final World Cup, were already well placed, and the match offered Roberto's side — and Messi watchers staying up late — a final group-stage look before the knockouts.
Group J — Algeria v Austria (03:00, BBC Two)
The other Group J decider, billed as one of the tournament's more combustible fixtures. With qualification places still in the balance, it carried genuine stakes for both nations heading into the early hours.
Evening: the Round of 32 begins
The headline event of the day for UK fans arrives at a far friendlier hour. South Africa v Canada kicks off at 20:00 and opens the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32. It is the first knockout match of the expanded format — and the first time any World Cup has featured a Round of 32 at all.
For the uninitiated, the new structure works like this: the top two from each of the 12 groups, plus the eight best third-placed teams, make up the 32 knockout qualifiers. That is a softer group stage than previous tournaments, but it adds an extra elimination round before the more familiar Round of 16.
South Africa v Canada at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood is a genuinely open tie. Canada, co-hosts of the tournament, advanced from their group, while South Africa booked their knockout place through the group stage to set up this opener. With no clear favourite, it is an intriguing way to launch the knockouts — and at 20:00 BST, a rare prime-time slot in a tournament where many fixtures fall deep into the UK night.
Why the times are so awkward for UK viewers
The 2026 World Cup is hosted across the United States, Canada and Mexico, which means kick-offs land anywhere from early evening to the small hours in BST. The North American time-zone spread is why today's group finales fall at 00:30 and 03:00, while the evening Round of 32 tie slots in at a comfortable 20:00. The good news is that the knockout rounds increasingly bring more matches into UK-friendly windows, with the Round of 32 running from 28 June through to early July before the Round of 16 begins.
Where to watch in the UK
Every one of the tournament's 104 matches is free to watch in the UK, split between BBC and ITV. Coverage is carried on BBC One, BBC Two, ITV1 and ITV4, with streaming via BBC iPlayer and ITVX. Scottish viewers can also follow selected matches through STV and STV Player. Today's overnight Group K and Group J fixtures are all on the BBC, across BBC One and BBC Two. The evening Round of 32 opener is expected on the BBC, with the broadcaster holding first-pick rights in the early knockout rounds, but the final channel is confirmed nearer kick-off.
After Sunday's opener, the Round of 32 continues through the following days. Monday 29 June brings Brazil into knockout action, with further ties landing across the week as the bracket fills in. The runners-up and group winners from Groups K and L meet on 2 July at BMO Field in Toronto, one of several knockout fixtures whose participants were decided by tonight's group finales. For now, though, Sunday 28 June is the day the World Cup shifts gear: the groups close in the dark, and the knockouts begin under the evening lights.
FAQ
What football is on today, 28 June?
Four group-stage matches overnight — Colombia v Portugal and DR Congo v Uzbekistan (both 00:30), Jordan v Argentina and Algeria v Austria (both 03:00) — followed by the Round of 32 opener, South Africa v Canada, at 20:00 BST.
What time is the first World Cup knockout match?
South Africa v Canada kicks off at 20:00 BST, the first match of the new Round of 32.
Where can I watch the matches in the UK?
All fixtures are free-to-air on BBC and ITV, with streaming on BBC iPlayer and ITVX. Today's confirmed games are on BBC One and BBC Two.
Is the World Cup free to watch in the UK?
Yes. All 104 matches are shown free-to-air, split between BBC and ITV.
Why are some matches on so late?
The tournament is hosted in the US, Canada and Mexico, so UK kick-offs range from early evening to the early hours depending on the venue's time zone.
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