Wednesday’s sport: What’s on and where can I watch?
Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo is poised to appear at the sixth World Cup of his career.
England will launch their Group L campaign against Croatia in Texas on another busy day at the World Cup.
Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo is poised to appear at the sixth World Cup of his career, while Uzbekistan will become the latest tournament debutants.
Following victory in the first Test, England are set to take on New Zealand at the Kia Oval without Ben Stokes.
Here is a guide to what is happening in the sporting world on Wednesday, and where you can watch in the UK.
England and Ronaldo get started
England’s quest to emulate the glory of 1966 begins with a tricky assignment in Arlington, Texas.
Group L opponents Croatia are ranked 11th in the world and defeated England in the semi-finals of the 2018 tournament in Russia.
Thomas Tuchel’s side kick off at 2100 on ITV after Portugal – captained by 41-year-old Ronaldo – play Democratic Republic of Congo in Houston at 1800 on BBC One.
England’s other group-stage opponents Ghana and Panama meet at midnight in Toronto on ITV before BBC One screens the Group K clash between Uzbekistan and Colombia in Mexico City at 0300 on Thursday.
Stokes’ absence overshadows build-up to second Test
With the absence of captain Ben Stokes continuing to dominate headlines, England take on New Zealand seeking to secure success in the three-match series.
Stokes was left out of the squad after he and seamer Gus Atkinson breached a midnight curfew following victory in the first Test at Lord’s.
Action at the Kia Oval begins at 1100 on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Cricket.
On the same channels, South Africa meet Pakistan at Edgbaston in Group A of the Women’s T20 World Cup. Play starts at 1830. Earlier on Sky Sports+, Australia face Bangladesh at 1030 and India play Netherlands at 1430.
What else is happening?
The build-up to Wimbledon continues at the HSBC Championships.
There is guaranteed to be British representation in the second round of the men’s draw at Queen’s Club, with action broadcast on BBC Two England from 1300.
Day two of Royal Ascot will be shown on ITV channels from 1330.
On this day
1962: Brazil beat Czechoslovakia 3-1 in Santiago, Chile to win the World Cup, with goals from Amarildo, Zito and Vava. They became only the second team to retain the trophy, after Italy first achieved the feat in 1938.
2003: Manchester United announced they had accepted a £25million bid from Real Madrid for David Beckham.
2022: England scored an ODI world record 498 for four in a 232-run win over the Netherlands.