Broadcasters Brace for Rapid Round of 32 Selection
BBC and ITV are the two national broadcasters in the United Kingdom for the World Cup and share an even split of the matches each shows across the tournament. Both now face a hectic turnaround to decide who broadcasts which fixtures from the round of 32.
The 72-game group stage concludes in the early hours of Sunday morning BST. Attention then shifts to the first knockout round, which runs from Sunday, 28 June to Saturday, 4 July BST and comprises 16 matches.
First Pick and Tight Turnaround
Co-hosts Canada face South Africa in the opening round of 32 match, scheduled for 20:00 BST on Sunday. That kickoff comes around 15 hours after the group stage ends, and many lineups are not known until the full group stage is finished.
In the immediate aftermath of the group stage conclusion, bosses from both broadcasters start the selection process for the round of 32. The BBC will get the first pick of the 16 matches once they are formally confirmed.
Both BBC and ITV must revise pre-planned programming schedules once they know their assigned fixtures. The BBC expects an early start and a very long Sunday to confirm its matches in the first knockout stage and arrange what is needed, and looks forward to confirming the lineup for this first round of 32 at a World Cup.