BBC Sport has announced the list of presenters, pundits, and commentators for their 2026 World Cup coverage later this summer.
The tournament kicks off on June 11th, featuring 254 live televised matches, with all 104 matches available across the BBC’s digital platforms.
Audiences can also follow all the latest updates across TV, iPlayer, 5 Live, BBC Sounds, the BBC Sport website & app, the brand-new BBC Sport Football YouTube channel, and across social media, BBC Sport.
In their announcement, the BBC stated: “For the first time ever, BBC Sport will deliver always-on World Cup coverage across YouTube, TikTok, and social channels – from live match streaming, alternative second-screen watch-alongs, and instant post-match reaction to interactive technology, new digital-first shows, and immersive VR experiences following every England and Scotland match.
“Audiences can also expect on-the-ground storytelling and insight from across the host nations, alongside cutting-edge technology designed to bring fans closer to the action than ever before. Real-time graphics, advanced on-screen analytics, and instant tactical breakdowns will create a richer, more interactive, and more immersive World Cup experience for audiences across the UK.”
Alex Kay-Jelski, BBC Director of Sport, commented: “The BBC is turning the biggest World Cup in history into the most iconic one yet. We’re bringing fans closer to every match, every moment, and every story than ever before. Sport truly unites people like nothing else, especially football, so we can’t wait for fans to enjoy not just the live matches with us but an abundance of football content, all day, every day across our platforms. Whether it’s our new series on YouTube, the biggest news stories on the ground, our daily podcasts on Sounds, or the viral moments on social media – we’re here for audiences 24/7 this summer, taking them straight to the heart of the World Cup.”
Louise Thornton, Head of Commissioning, BBC Scotland, added: “It’s going to be thrilling to see the national team back on football’s biggest stage after 28 years – a moment that’s sure to bring huge pride and excitement right across the country.
“At BBC Scotland, we’re rolling out a brilliant mix of content to match that buzz. Our sport teams will have every kick and talking point of Scotland’s campaign covered across television, radio, and online.
“Beyond outstanding reporting and analysis of the matches, we’re also bringing audiences a wide range of content from comprehensive news coverage, documentaries that tell the stories behind the big names and moments, to comedy that celebrates the highs, lows, and quirks of football fandom. It promises to be a memorable footballing journey, and BBC Scotland will be bringing audiences all the content that matters from start to finish.”
**Presenters:** Kelly Cates, Mark Chapman, Gabby Logan, and Alex Scott
**Pundits:** Alan Shearer, Wayne Rooney, Micah Richards, Joe Hart, Paul Robinson, Steph Houghton, Ellen White, and Danny Murphy.
**Pundits representing Scotland:** Scott Brown, Rachel Corsie, and James McFadden
**Others joining them:** Olivier Giroud, Gaël Clichy, César Azpilicueta, Benni McCarthy, Ashley Williams, and Thomas Frank
**At matches and the England and Scotland camps:** Kelly Somers and Eilidh Barbour
**Commentary:** Guy Mowbray, Steve Wilson, Steve Bower, Jonathan Pearce, Robyn Cowen, Steven Wyeth, and Liam McLeod
**Co-commentary:** Alan Shearer, Danny Murphy, Stephen Warnock, Efan Ekoku, Martin Keown, Sue Smith, Rachel Corsie, James McFadden, and Paul Robinson
Alternative BBC Radio 5 Live commentary will be available on selected BBC TV fixtures, while an Audio Description service (AD) will be made available for the first time on all TV Live games to assist the blind or partially sighted community.
**BBC Radio 5 Live’s World Cup coverage:**
Kelly Cates and Mark Chapman join Steve Crossman.
**Commentary:** John Murray, Ian Dennis, Alistair Bruce Ball, Vicki Sparks, and Jonathan Pearce.
**Expert analysis:** Chris Sutton, Dion Dublin, Paul Robinson, Pat Nevin, Sue Smith, Clinton Morrison, Rachel Corsie, and Efan Ekoku.
**Insight and analysis:** Conor Coady, Steph Houghton, and Kris Boyd.
**5 Live’s World Cup team:** Olivier Giroud, César Azpilicueta, Thomas Frank, and Gaël Clichy.
Alasdair Lamont will be commentating on all of Scotland’s group matches for both 5 Live and BBC Radio Scotland, with Pat Nevin joining him in the commentary box for every game. Kenny Macintyre will present radio coverage with Sportsound on BBC Radio Scotland, joined by a range of guests.
There will also be live Scottish Gaelic commentaries of Scotland’s three group games on BBC Radio nan Gàidheal and BBC Sounds with commentary from Alasdair MacLennan.
Follow the FIFA World Cup 2026 live on the BBC Sport website, app, YouTube, and across social media:
* Live stream build-up and the opening 10 minutes of its biggest matches on BBC Football’s YouTube and TikTok channels for the first time ever.
* A new interactive 3D experience on the BBC Sport website and app, exploring every angle, rewinding key moments, switching cameras, and watching tactics unfold in real-time, powered by live data. A second-screen option that offers deeper insight and even greater control.
For instant updates, analysis, and fan reaction, live coverage pages of all 104 matches will be available on the BBC Sport website and app, including in-game clips of all BBC matches with fans able to join the discussion in real-time during every game with a new live comments feature.
More information can be found HERE.
**Podcasts and Documentaries:**
* The Football Daily podcast with Rick Edwards teams up with comedian, actor, and sports presenter Lloyd Griffith.
* The Wayne Rooney Show with Wayne Rooney, Kelly Somers, Kae Kurd, and guests.
* Steve Bracknall with six World Cup specials of Games Gone: The Steve Bracknall Podcast, and reaction to home nations games.
* Jonathan Sutherland with a daily Scotland World Cup podcast on BBC Sounds, iPlayer, and YouTube, providing all the latest from the USA during the tournament.
* On BBC Radio nan Gàidheal and Sounds, the sports podcast Spòrscast previews and dissects all of Scotland’s matches throughout the competition. Tadhal, a new informal and entertaining visualised podcast focusing on Scotland’s participation in the World Cup, is also available on BBC ALBA’s YouTube page.
* Alan Shearer will offer perspective from inside the host cities, sports editor Dan Roan will cover the tournament’s most significant news stories, senior football correspondent Sami Mokbel will provide exclusive updates from within the England camp, and digital reporter Sam Harris will capture the authentic fan experience.
**BBC SCOTLAND:**
Louise Thornton, Head of Commissioning, BBC Scotland, reiterated: “It’s going to be thrilling to see the national team back on football’s biggest stage after 28 years – a moment that’s sure to bring huge pride and excitement right across the country.
“At BBC Scotland, we’re rolling out a brilliant mix of content to match that buzz. Our sport teams will have every kick and talking point of Scotland’s campaign covered across television, radio, and online.
“Beyond outstanding reporting and analysis of the matches, we’re also bringing audiences a wide range of content from comprehensive news coverage, documentaries that tell the stories behind the big names and moments, to comedy that celebrates the highs, lows, and quirks of football fandom.
“It promises to be a memorable footballing journey, and BBC Scotland will be bringing audiences all the content that matters from start to finish.”
**Commentary for Scotland matches:** Liam McLeod, James McFadden in the Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, New Jersey.
The highly anticipated final group match against previous World Cup winners, Brazil, on Wednesday, June 24, will also be live on BBC One and iPlayer, with Liam McLeod commentating and again joined by James McFadden on co-commentary.
**On Radio 5 Live / BBC Radio Scotland:** Alasdair Lamont and Pat Nevin.
Kenny Macintyre on Sportsound on BBC Radio Scotland with guests.
Talking points, analysis, and comment from Tom English.
There will also be live Scottish Gaelic commentaries of Scotland’s three group games on BBC Radio nan Gàidheal and BBC Sounds with commentary from Alasdair MacLennan.
Amy Irons and Steven Mill will host The Saturday Show at the World Cup.
Amy Irons said: “I’m so excited to be following Scotland’s World Cup journey up close. It’s going to be an incredible experience, and we can’t wait to bring listeners right into the heart of it.”
Steven Mill added: “Taking the show on the road across the States for the World Cup is going to be special. We’ll have big guests, great stories, and all the reaction as it happens.”
Grant Stott and Arlene Stuart will play the songs that will provide the soundtrack to the World Cup campaign.
Talking points from Tam Cowan and Stuart Cosgrove via Off the Ball on BBC Radio Scotland in the group stage.
Jonathan Sutherland with a daily Scotland World Cup podcast on BBC Sounds and iPlayer and live daily updates on YouTube.
A documentary for BBC Scotland and BBC One with Kevin Bridges, ‘In Search of the Beautiful Game’.
Kevin said: “I’ve been a football fan for as long as I can remember. I was 11 years old when Scotland last qualified for the World Cup; a lot has changed about football since then, and like a lot of people, I’ve become a little disillusioned with where the game is headed. I’m excited to be setting out on this mission; to see if the game still has a soul and that its beauty is not yet lost.”
A documentary for BBC Scotland and iPlayer will focus on the fan reaction videos from Scotland’s memorable win over Denmark, and another film will focus on the goals which fired Scotland back onto the world stage.
Other short films with Lewis Ferguson, Billy Gilmour, and Scott McTominay looking ahead to the World Cup are available now on iPlayer.
**Tactical Influences in the Biggest World Cup Ever:**
Presenters, pundits, and co-commentators were asked how the biggest World Cup ever, with more teams and matches, might influence tactics.
**Olivier Giroud:** “With 48 teams and the fact that eight of the 12 third-placed teams will qualify, I think this changes a lot. Many teams will realise that with just one win and a decent goal difference, that could be enough to get them through the group stages. There will be more hope for the underdogs. I think then, as a consequence, the less fancied nations will be even more cautious than before in their opening matches. Tactically, you will see them playing maybe low blocks and protecting draws instead of chasing wins, especially against big teams. Coaches might prioritise a ‘don’t lose’ mentality over a ‘must win’ mindset. The perfect example of this is perhaps Morocco in the 2022 World Cup. Even though they had a great generation with talented players, nobody expected them to reach the semi-final. They beat Spain and Portugal in the knockout games by playing in transition and with great defensive organisation.”
**Ellen White:** “We might see more changes game by game and perhaps maximum numbers of subs happening per game. Potentially more teams playing a low block and trying to catch teams on the transition/counter-attack. I think we might see more draws in the group stage as more teams can qualify for the knockout stage, so therefore teams will be harder to break down.”
**Conor Coady:** “I think a huge part of this World Cup is going to be conserving energy as much as you possibly can, whether that be controlling the tempo of the game with the ball and breathing with it, which means when you lose it you have more energy to react, or if you’re an out-of-possession side, containing opposition, being compact, controlling the game without the ball, which then means you can counter-attack at speed! The heat is going to play a huge factor not just in individual games but also taking energy early on in the tournament from players and making it tough in the latter stages!”
**Steph Houghton:** “Without a doubt, playing against different continents with different styles of football will have a huge influence on how this tournament will go. You will come up against a variety of teams that like to slow the play down, play fast-paced, be aggressive, and players with different profiles will also come into it. Playing in USA, Canada, and Mexico will impact games depending on temperature and trying to conserve energy as much as possible across the tournament.”
**Stephen Warnock:** “I think the biggest obstacle teams, managers, and squads will have to overcome is the temperatures. I think it would be very difficult, from a training point of view and recovery point of view, how you approach the match tactically. Do you go after it? Can you go full pelt for 90 minutes?”
**Guy Mowbray:** “I hope that I’m wrong, but I’ve a strong feeling that excitement-wise, we might be disappointed with quite a few of the group stage games. The addition of a round of 32 makes qualification from the group in effect ‘easier’, but by the same token makes elimination harder to palate, so it could lead to a cautious approach or a more measured build into the tournament from some. The likely hot and humid conditions at many venues will also be a factor in us seeing some ‘slow’ football.”
**Rachel Corsie:** “It won’t, it’s a World Cup. The biggest thing for any team is getting through the group stages. In that sense, nothing has changed; win your group, come second, or secure one of the best 3rd place spots – that’s the priority, and in that sense, it’s the same as it has always been. Come the knock-out stages, you have to pick the best team to win that one-off match; again, nothing has changed here, it’s just we have an extra knock-out round to play.”
**Kelly Somers:** “To be honest, the scale of everything about this World Cup will have a huge influence, and it’s really hard to predict how, as we’ve never seen a World Cup like it. The amount of travel and the heat are going to be the biggest factors, I think. I do a podcast with Wayne Rooney, and he’s been telling us all season from his experience of playing out there just how hard the heat and the altitude in places is to prepare for – and the sheer amount of recovery time needed. I do think it’ll suit the South American nations and those more used to it.”
**Steve Bower:** “It’s the longest, biggest tournament that the players will have ever played – off the back of demanding, tiring domestic seasons – so I think we’re going to see a lot more use of the substitutes right across the board from the coaches. Sport science – we know it’s a huge part of the game anyway – will be at the forefront of this World Cup more than ever due to the demands of the heat in a lot of places, the altitude in Mexico, the travelling, and the sheer demands on the players. It’ll be really interesting, particularly for bigger nations, how the coaches juggle game time and manage the squads while still getting positive results.”
**Breakout Stars Predictions:**
Which young or emerging players do you think could become breakout stars this summer?
**Wayne Rooney:** “Just look at England, Elliot Anderson is brilliant. Again, Yamal [Spain] is a top player, which obviously everyone knows about, but I think these players are brilliant. You’ve got Kobbie Mainoo – hopefully he gets in the squad as well – so there are some great young players in the competition.”
**Olivier Giroud:** “Well, it’s not because I’m French, but if you ask me my opinion, I’d say Desiré Doué. He is only 20, but you can see what a talent he is. He made his breakthrough with his club Paris St-Germain two years ago and has not looked back, and I think he will emerge as a key player for France. Everybody knows him thanks to what he has achieved in the Champions League, but he needs now to make history with France in front of the whole world! I think he will.”
**Ellen White:** “For me, it’s Nico O’Reilly – England, Antonio Nusa – Norway, and Yan Diomande – Ivory Coast.”
**Conor Coady:** “This is the most excited I’ve been to see young players at the World Cup; we have so much to choose from, and I’m hoping these two have a good impact. Lennart Karl (Germany) and Rayan (Brazil). Both had fantastic seasons at club level playing in very high-level leagues and games and shown they can produce.”
**Steph Houghton:** “Elliot Anderson and Nico O’Reilly for England. Both have been instrumental for their clubs this season and I can see them being starters for England this summer. Rayan Cherki for France, so much skill and has that star quality to win football games.”
**Stephen Warnock:** “The one player I’m looking forward to seeing on the world stage is Michael Olise. I think he is an absolute superstar. We’ve already seen this season at Bayern Munich in the Champions League what he was able to achieve. Then going into the World Cup with France, they’re such an exciting squad, but he’s the one I think who could come out of this World Cup just dominating it – he’s a defender’s worst nightmare and just so high in confidence right now.”
**Guy Mowbray:** “As an England supporter, I’m hopeful that the likes of Elliot Anderson and Nico O’Reilly can take their Premier League development this season onto the world stage. They could end up being two of Thomas Tuchel’s most important players, having only made their international debuts this season. Looking elsewhere, I think that Désiré Doué has the opportunity to properly announce himself for France, having maybe edged ahead of PSG teammate Bradley Barcola for club and country. And don’t be surprised if Rayan is a regular starter and scorer for Brazil as they mount a strong challenge. The Bournemouth teenager is ending his first half-season in the Premier League strongly.”
**Rachel Corsie:** “Franco Mastantuono (Argentina), has been great in La Liga, Warren Zaïre-Emery (France), and Pau Cubarsí (Spain).”
**Steve Bower:** “A player that I’ve commentated on this season, scoring in the Champions League, is Lennart Karl for Germany and Bayern Munich. He burst onto the scene this season and really got his breakthrough with Vincent Kompany. I think if he gets game time, again because a lot more of the squads for these bigger nations will be used in this tournament, he’s a special talent with a wonderful temperament.”
**Final Predictions and Dark Horses:**
In terms of predictions, what two teams can you see making it to the final? Are there any dark horses that you think will surprise fans?
**Rick Edwards:** “It’s pretty hard to look past France and Spain, the two top-ranked teams – although I think they might meet in the semis. I do wonder if Senegal will arrive with a raging fire in their bellies after the absurd ruling that robbed them of the AFCON title earlier this year. I’d love to see them go deep into this tournament. And they can ease themselves in with a comfortable first group game – against France.”
**Wayne Rooney:** “I think you have to look at Spain, France, and England. I think they’re probably favourites for this World Cup.”
**Olivier Giroud:** “For me, the two strongest teams are France and Spain. But will they meet each other in the final or before? That will be the question. One of the African teams can be the surprise team. Maybe Ivory Coast, Senegal, or Ghana – all dangerous teams on their day.”
**Conor Coady:** “I truly believe England have a real chance because we have the best striker in the world in my opinion, a player of his calibre with the confidence he has and the bit between his teeth to win something with England is a scary thought for other countries. My other team is Germany; I think they have a very good manager in Nagelsmann and I can always see them getting to the latter stages. My dark horse is Senegal; I know the AFCON ended up in difficult circumstances, but the way they played in Qatar and then at AFCON really impressed me. They have some top-quality players and are used to winning.”
**Steph Houghton:** “Hopefully England will get to the final. But I think France and Spain have a great squad with some real match-winners, as well as Brazil.”
**Stephen Warnock:** “We can’t look past France with the depth of their squad to get to the final. They are an immensely talented group of players.”
**Guy Mowbray:** “I can’t name just two, so I’ll go with four (or five!) that have every chance. As the tournament is in the Americas, I naturally can’t look far past Argentina and Brazil and would be tempted to pick one or the other as eventual winners. The main European challenge will more than likely come from France and Spain, with a nod to England. If the tournament was in Europe, I’d be giving England much more of a chance – although I can’t really back that up with a hard reason why. Outsiders-wise, I can envisage Norway doing well. Also Senegal and Morocco. As always, there will be a nation that properly surprises us though – an outsider so outside it’s impossible to pick them out now!”
**Rachel Corsie:** “I think France will make the final, and I have a sneaky feeling Portugal will get there too. Japan is the team I will pick as being the surprise to most onlookers, and I think Ecuador and Turkey will cause an upset or two.”
**Steve Bower:** “I can’t look beyond France on paper – they have experience, they have talent, and they have Kylian Mbappé as well, who will want to right a few wrongs from Qatar four years ago. Didier Deschamps, the coach, has already announced that he’s leaving as well – could they send him off by going one better? You can’t look beyond Brazil, not necessarily because of the players, but if you’re looking for a coach to lead, then Carlo Ancelotti, he’s been there and done everything in club football. In terms of the dark horse, Japan is always a nation I love watching. They have an incredible team spirit, so I wouldn’t be surprised seeing them go deep into the competition.”
**Fondest World Cup Memories:**
The tournament evokes so many emotions. What is your fondest memory of the World Cup (playing or spectating) and why does it stand out?
**Olivier Giroud:** “I’ve been lucky to win the World Cup as a player and also remember watching France win for the first time. So my fondest memory of the World Cup is definitely in 2018 when I lifted the trophy! Those moments as a player never leave you. As a spectator, France winning on home soil in 1998. I was just 11 years old, but that’s my first memory!”
**Rick Edwards:** “The first World Cup I was properly invested in was Italia 90. I remember being in the lounge with my dad, watching the semi-final against Germany, whilst my mum was trying to teach adult literacy to some poor guy in the kitchen – when Gary Lineker scored the late equaliser, dad and I went berserk, and mum had to abandon her lesson. Good times. I also have very fond memories of Ray Houghton’s long-range goal against Italy in Ireland’s first game of the 1994 World Cup in the US – I can still vividly picture the mix of surprise and elation on Ray’s face as it sailed in.”
**Ellen White:** “The best memories when watching have been seeing the underdogs thrive and witnessing a team or player you maybe don’t know too well thriving and making a huge impact on the world stage. The colours, the vibrancy, cultures, and communities all coming together to celebrate their teams and also football is a beautiful thing to watch.”
**Conor Coady:** “My biggest World Cup memory is Michael Owen against Argentina in 1998, an incredible player at 18 scoring one of the best goals I’ve ever seen.”
**Steph Houghton:** “My fondest memories of playing in a World Cup would be captaining the Lionesses to a bronze medal in Canada 2015. The most special memories and all I ever dreamt of doing was representing my country on the highest stage possible. Watching a World Cup, my memory would be 1999, when Michael Owen scored a beauty of a goal against Argentina!”
**Stephen Warnock:** “I have two memories that stand out. The first is 1990 – I’ll never forget David Platt’s goal against Belgium. I remember being sat with my mum, dad, and brother watching the game, and that was one of the most incredible moments of the competition. The other would be being part of the World Cup squad and going with England to South Africa.”
**Guy Mowbray:** “From watching every one since 1978 and attending them all since 1998, I’ve got so many wonderful memories, with the coming together of people from all over the world to share a drink and stories, something that’s really special.”
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