Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Entertainment
Hollie Richardson, Phil Harrison, Graeme Virtue and Jack Seale

TV tonight: the World Cup kicks off with three opening ceremonies

THE ITV TEAM pictured: Duncan Ferguson, Christina Unkel, Connie Mclaughlin, Gabriel Clarke, Jon Champion, Emma Hayes, Patrick Vieira, Roy Keane,Semra Hunter, Karen Carney, Mark Pougatch, Sam Matterface, Laura Woods, Ian Wright, Gary Neville, Jobi McAnuff, Ally McCoist, Joe Speight, Lucy Ward, Seb Hutchinson, Daniyal Khan and Adam Richman.
The ITV Sport reporting team for World Cup 2026. Photograph: Sally Mais/ITV

Fifa World Cup 2026: Opening Ceremony

6.15pm, ITV1
Is it coming home? At this point, even asking that feels like a jinx. But here we go, with a summer of very inconveniently timed games between a whopping 48 teams. Three ceremonies will kick the tournament off, starting with one in Mexico City Stadium, where J Balvin and Tyla will perform. The Toronto and LA events follow on Friday. Hollie Richardson

Britney: In Ten Pictures

9pm, BBC Two

Britney Spears often seemed like a walking illustration of the phrase “Be careful what you wish for”. Starting with a delightful picture of pre-fame Britney goofing around with her brother but soon entering darker waters, it’s a graphic, increasingly poignant journey through modern fame. Phil Harrison

Taskmaster: The Final

9pm, Channel 4
As anyone who has ever watched this show understands, the Taskmaster trophy is one of the most prestigious in the world of television. So as we join the gang for the final time, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Amy Gledhill literally tears her hair out in pursuit of glory and there’s an all-time- great pillow fight. PH

James Dean: The Emotional Man

9pm, Sky Arts

Dying in a car crash at the age of 24 in 1955 means James Dean achieved his dream of immortality at a terrible cost. This vivid profile draws on biographies written by his friends and collaborators to make the case that the intense actor created a new model of vulnerable masculinity. Graeme Virtue

Make That Movie

10pm, Channel 4
Magnificent oddball Sam Campbell’s comedy is great fun as long as you’re willing to surrender to its complete illogic. This time, chauffeur Kabir wants the gang to tell the story of his financier boss. The problem is, there isn’t much of a story to tell. What hidden depravity can the team unearth? PH

Rivals: Messi v Ronaldo

10.40pm, BBC One
To coincide with a World Cup at which both men will play despite being 38 and 41 years old respectively, this documentary rehashes the biggest debate in football: who’s better, Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo? Among the ex-players having their say are Xavi, Sergio Busquets, Rio Ferdinand and Pablo Zabaleta. Jack Seale

Live sport

World Cup Football, Mexico v South Africa, 7.50pm, ITV1. The first game of the tournament.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.