ITV and BBC Prepare for 2026 World Cup Coverage

ITV will set up its broadcasting operations in the Brooklyn neighborhood of New York at the onset of the tournament, featuring a studio with stunning views of the Brooklyn Bridge and Manhattan, as reported by The Telegraph.

Additionally, the terrestrial broadcaster is in advanced negotiations with several high-profile pundits, including Roy Keane, Gary Neville, and Ian Wright, to reprise their roles on the commentary team. Hosting duties will be shared between Mark Pougatch and Laura Woods.

In contrast, the BBC, which will not have Gary Lineker as its lead presenter for the World Cup for the first time since 1998, is opting for a more streamlined approach during the initial phase of the tournament, which is being hosted across the USA, Canada, and Mexico. Their team of presenters and pundits will operate primarily from BBC Sport’s Salford base, with joint Match of the Day hosts Mark Chapman, Kelly Cates, and Gabby Logan leading their coverage. The timeline for when they will transition to the U.S. for the knockout rounds remains uncertain. Pundit Alan Shearer is confirmed to travel to the tournament for co-commentary duties from the outset, joined by Micah Richards as part of the BBC team.

In an intriguing turn of events, the 2026 World Cup was initially expected to be Lineker’s final appearance as the BBC’s lead football presenter. However, he was compelled to resign under contentious circumstances in May 2025 after sharing anti-Semitic imagery on social media. Nevertheless, he will still participate in the tournament, contributing to his podcast ‘The Rest Is Football.’

With the expansion of the World Cup from 32 to 48 teams resulting in a record number of matches, the competition for viewership and television ratings will be intense this summer. Out of the 72 group phase matches, the BBC will broadcast 38, while ITV will air 34. England’s opening and concluding group matches will be shown on ITV, but should they advance, their round of 32, last 16, and semi-final matches will be covered by the BBC. As customary, the final match will be broadcast on both channels.