ITV axe six World Cup pundits as line-up confirmed for 2026 tournament | Football | Sport
Ian Wright, Gary Neville and Roy Keane will be part of ITV’s punditry panel (Image: ITV)
ITV has unveiled a much-changed punditry line-up for the World Cup. The broadcaster has revealed an impressive roster of pundits, presenters and commentators for the tournament in North America, which kicks off on June 11.
Among those included are ex-Manchester United stars Roy Keane, Gary Neville and Juan Mata, alongside a with former managers and players. Arsenal legends Patrick Vieira and Ian Wright will also be on hand, as will former Tottenham and Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou and ex-Rangers and Scotland hardman Duncan Ferguson. They will be joined by US women’s team manager Emma Hayes, Lionesses icon Karen Carney, former Manchester City forward Bradley Wright-Phillips and regular Sky Sports pundit and ex-EFL favourite Jobi McAnuff.
Notably absent, however, is Eni Aluko, who worked for ITV at the last World Cup, Euro 2024 and last year’s women’s Euros in Switzerland. Aluko previously voiced her frustration at being overlooked for the final between England and Spain, a match on which Wright did feature.
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She had earlier claimed that Wright’s presence in the women’s game was blocking opportunities for female pundits. Also missing from the line-up are Graeme Souness, Joe Cole, Nigel De Jong, Nadia Nadim and Hal Robson-Kanu, all of whom appeared on ITV during the 2022 tournament in Qatar.
Coverage will be fronted by presenters Mark Pougatch, Laura Woods and Semra Hunter. Commentary will be headed by Sam Matterface, Jon Champion, Seb Hutchinson and Joe Speight, with co-commentary delivered by Lee Dixon, Ally McCoist, Andros Townsend and Lucy Ward.
Eni Aluko fell out with Ian Wright over punditry opportunities (Image: 2022 Charlotte Wilson/Offside)
ITV’s correspondents on the ground will be Gabriel Clarke and Connie McLaughlin, while Christina Unkel will serve as the referee analyst. Beyond the tactical analysis, a “third eye on the tournament, examining all of the biggest World Cup social and cultural moments,” will be offered by Adam Richman, who will be joined by celebrity guests.
As usual, ITV will split coverage with the BBC, while both broadcasters will screen the final. ITV will broadcast the tournament’s opening two fixtures, including the curtain-raiser between co-hosts Mexico City and South Africa in Mexico City.
They will also show England’s opening game against Croatia on Wednesday, June 17 (9pm BST) and the concluding group clash against Panama on Saturday, June 27 (10pm BST). In between, ITV will broadcast Scotland’s middle group fixture against Morocco on Friday, June 19 (11pm BST).
Laura Woods will be a key part of the ITV team (Image: Getty Images)
ITV will also screen the opening fixtures involving world champions Argentina, Germany, the Netherlands and Spain. The broadcaster, which will show 29 group fixtures in total, will broadcast live from New York City throughout the tournament.
ITV director of sport Niall Sloane said: “This is the biggest FIFA World Cup in history and we will be live from New York City for the duration of the tournament, bringing every key moment to life, free-to-air.
“Nothing unifies the UK audience more than a global sporting event and they don’t come much bigger than this. Our broadcast line-up is second to none and our comprehensive coverage across ITV, ITVX, our World Cup 24/7 Channel, plus our digital platforms will ensure the ITV audience doesn’t miss a second of action.”
