Fitness personality Joe Wicks has requested that British Airways show the England vs. Argentina World Cup semi-final match during his flight, but the airline has confirmed it cannot broadcast live sporting events due to legal reasons.
Wicks, 40, inquired on X (formerly Twitter) if he would be able to watch the match on his upcoming flight. The airline's social media team responded that they are unable to stream live sporting events and suggested the crew would keep him informed of the score. Wicks expressed his disappointment with the response.
He was offered alternative solutions by Kirstie Allsop, who suggested using a VPN to listen on the radio or purchasing a ticket to the game. The legal limitations for airlines typically stem from broadcast licensing rights, which may not extend to international airspace.
Millions across the United Kingdom are expected to watch the match from home or in pubs. Should England advance to the final, the O2 Arena in London is poised to host a large viewing party, potentially for up to 20,000 fans, following its successful hosting of the Euro 2024 final.
Some fans have voiced frustration over the lack of large public screenings in the capital for the current semi-final. In contrast to 2018, when a 30,000-capacity screen was set up in Hyde Park for a semi-final match, this year's event has not seen similar arrangements. Organizers cited insufficient time to safely coordinate such a large gathering, with England's semi-final spot only confirmed early Sunday morning.
City Hall stated that while there are no official plans for a screening of the match against Argentina, the mayor hopes the team will win. Londoners have been encouraged to support the hospitality industry by watching the match in pubs, clubs, and bars.
If England reaches the final, scheduled for Sunday, July 21, in New York, a large-scale celebration is being planned in London. Collaborations between City Hall, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, Westminster City Council, and the FA would be involved in what is anticipated to be a significant event for the UK, depending on the team's success against Argentina and potential finalists Spain.