Who are the BBC commentators, pundits and presenter for Spain vs Saudi Arabia?

Cesar Azpilicueta in action for Spain against England in November 2016.
Cesar Azpilicueta earned 44 caps for Spain (Image credit: Getty Images)

Spain and Saudi Arabia will match wits in both sides' second game of the World Cup.

The Group H clash will be played at Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium, with kick-off set for noon local time (5pm UK time).

The BBC have picked up the UK broadcast rights for this one, and they have duly assembled an array of big football names for the occasion. Literally, in one case.

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BBC pundits and commentators for Spain vs Saudi Arabia

Kelly Cates will anchor Spain vs Saudi Arabia

Kelly Cates is on pundit wrangling duties (Image credit: Getty Images)

The ever-reliable Kelly Cates will be in the presenter's seat in the Salford studio to guide her team of studio pundits through their attempts at analysis.

Sitting alongside her will be former England striker Wayne Rooney, former Spain defender Cesar Azpilicueta, and ex-Brentford and Tottenham boss Thomas Frank.

Wayne Rooney was a new Match of the Day pundit last season

We could have done Wayne Rooney bigger favours than using this photo but here we are (Image credit: Getty Images)

Rooney is Manchester United's all-time leading goalscorer, and once held the same distinction for his country as well before being overtaken by Harry Kane.

Former Chelsea stalwart Azpilicueta won it all in his 11-year spell at Stamford Bridge, including two league titles, a Champions League, an FA Cup, a League Cup, two Europa Leagues, a UEFA Super Cup, and a Club World. We're not sure why we said 'including' because that's all of it.

Frank enjoyed great success in getting Brentford promoted to the Premier League and establishing them in the division, and also was at Spurs for a bit last season.

It's then over to Atlanta for the match action, with Ian Dennis serving as the lead commentator.

Alongside him is former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson, who earned 41 caps, including starting all of the Three Lions' games at the 2006 World Cup.

Paul Robinson concedes a costly goal against Croatia during England's failed Euro 2008 campaign

We could have done Paul Robinson bigger favours than using this photo but here we are (Image credit: Getty Images)

Spain and Saudi Arabia were both held to draws in their opening games of the tournament, leaving the group all square going into this second round of fixtures.

The European champions were unable to find a way past tournament debutants Cape Verde in the biggest shock we are likely to see this summer.

Saudi Arabia meanwhile led Uruguay last time out, only to end up sharing the spoils in a 1-1 draw.

Steven Chicken

Steven Chicken has been working as a football writer since 2009, taking in stints with Football365 and the Huddersfield Examiner. Steven still covers Huddersfield Town home and away for his own publication, WeAreTerriers.com. Steven is a two-time nominee for Regional Journalist of the Year at the prestigious British Sports Journalism Awards, making the shortlist in 2020 and 2023.

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