Join The Club
With World Cup 2026 fast-approaching, the BBC have unveiled their team for the tournament.
Not only will 54 matches from World Cup 2026 be broadcast on the Beeb's terrestrial television channels, you can catch all the action on iPlayer, 5 Live, BBC Sounds, the BBC Sport website and the app – along with World Cup coverage across YouTube, TikTok and social channels, including live match streaming, alternative second screen watch-alongs and instant post-match reaction.
It promises to be the biggest tournament ever – and it's got the talent to match…
Presenters
Kelly Cates
Kelly Cates
Cates will be presenting her first tournament on the BBC, after her maiden season as a Match of the Day host.
The 50-year-old is the daughter of Kenny Dalglish and is best-known by Premier League fans as a presenter on Sky Sports.
Mark Chapman
Mark Chapman
BBC stalwart Chapman will continue his role as a presenter for the World Cup.
Chappers was a Radio 1 presenter back in the day and still lends his voice to 5 Live's sports coverage, but has stepped up to become a lead presenter for the Beeb following Gary Lineker's exit.
Gabby Logan
Gabby Logan
One of the most experienced presenters in BBC’s lineup, Logan will be a familiar face for football fans.
A former gymnast, 2026 marks 30 years since the Leeds-born presenter first appeared on Sky Sports: she's been part of the furniture on the BBC for the last few tournaments and has been a lead presenter on Match of the Day this season, too.
Alex Scott
Alex Scott
Former Arsenal player Scott has made a seamless transition into the world of television presenting.
The Champions League winner became the first woman to present Football Focus and has been hailed for her punditry, along with presenting skills, which have also been showcased on Sky Sports and the BBC's 2020 Olympic Games coverage.
Pundits
Alan Shearer
Alan Shearer
Would it be a World Cup without Alan Shearer’s familiar voice providing analysis? We don’t think so.
The Toon legend will not only be one of the leading pundits in North America, but he will also be Guy Mowbray's co-commentator for the England fixtures.
Wayne Rooney
Wayne Rooney
There have been plenty of memorable Wayne Rooney moments from World Cups past, but the ex-England striker will be turning his hand to punditry in North America.
Rooney broke the all-time England goalscoring record – before Harry Kane broke his record, in turn – and has been a regular on both Match of the Day and Amazon Prime this season.
Micah Richards
Micah Richards
Plenty of levity, and shrewd analysis too, former Manchester City defender Micah Richards will undoubtedly entertain in his assessment of World Cup matches.
Richards burst on the scene as a face of Sky Sports and has become an MOTD favourite alongside gigs on Sky Sports and CBS in America.
Joe Hart
Joe Hart
Ex-Manchester City No.1 Joe Hart will have his eyes across the goalkeeping department at the tournament.
Hart has been seen on TNT Sports this season, along with Match of the Day.
Paul Robinson
Paul Robinson
Another former England goalkeeper, Paul Robinson, will provide expert punditry.
Steph Houghton
Steph Houghton
With 121 caps for the Lionesses, Steph Houghton is well-placed to give her thoughts on the World Cup.
Houghton has been an analyst on the BBC since 2024, with this her first major tournament as a pundit.
Ellen White
Ellen White
Another Lionesses centurion, Ellen White is also on the punditry team in North America.
White has been a regular for recent women's tournaments on the BBC, last appearing at the Women's Euros last summer.
Danny Murphy
Danny Murphy
Former Liverpool and Fulham midfielder Danny Murphy is by now a veteran of the pundit game.
Murphy will be a presence both in the studio and the gantry, as he'll be a co-commentator, too.
Scott Brown
Scott Brown
Once a hard-tackling midfielder for Celtic, Scott Brown will provide expert punditry for Scotland’s first World Cup since 1998.
Rachel Corsie
Rachel Corsie
Rachel Corsie earned 154 caps for Scotland Women, and she will be a part of the BBC’s punditry team.
Corsie is set to be a co-commentator, too.
James McFadden
James McFadden
Another ex-Scotland international, James McFadden is on board for the World Cup.
McFadden can also be heard on 5 Live during the competition and will be a co-commentator in games, too.
Olivier Giroud
Olivier Giroud
The dashing looks and dulcet tones of Olivier Giroud will be a treat for BBC viewers, with the former Arsenal and Chelsea striker providing punditry.
France's all-time scorer – Kylian Mbappe is closing in on that record – has appeared on Sky Sports' Monday Night Football this season for analysis, but this will be his BBC debut as an analyst.
Gael Clichy
Gael Clichy
Giroud will be joined by former France team-mate Gael Clichy.
Clichy went to just one World Cup but has branched out into punditry since retiring from the game.
Cesar Azpilicueta
Cesar Azpilicueta
For a Spanish perspective, ex-Chelsea defender Cesar Azpilicueta will be on hand for expert analysis.
The former full-back will be making his debut on the BBC.
Benni McCarthy
Benni McCarthy
Benni McCarthy will have the lowdown on South Africa, who are at their first tournament since hosting in 2010.
This will be McCarthy's tournament debut on the Been.
Ashley Williams
Ashley Williams
Wales agonisingly missed out on World Cup qualification, but Ashley Williams will be at the tournament on BBC pundit duty.
Williams has been to several tournaments now, and is a regular on Match of the Day.
Thomas Frank
Thomas Frank
After his Tottenham Hotspur tenure came to a premature end, Thomas Frank will be talking about football rather than coaching this summer.
Frank was a big hit during Euro 2024 as a pundit, but won't be talking about Denmark, who failed to qualify this time around.
Darren Cann
Darren Cann
Former official Darren Cann will continue his role as the BBC’s referee pundit at the World Cup.
Reporters
Kelly Somers
Kelly Somers
Kelly Somers will be one of two BBC reporters providing the latest World Cup news.
Somers has interviewed Premier League A-listers this season on the Beeb and is a regular reporter for the network during major tournaments.
Eilidh Barbour
Eilidh Barbour
Eilidh Barbour will be on reporter duty for the BBC, as the major reporter for all things Scotland.
Commentators
Guy Mowbray
Guy Mowbray
A very familiar voice for football fans in the UK, Guy Mowbray will lead the BBC’s commentary team.
This will be Mowbray's third World Cup as the lead voice on the broadcaster, while casual fans may know him better as the commentator of BBC One's Gladiators.
Steve Wilson
Steve Wilson
Steve Wilson, like Mowbray, has become a fixture at international tournaments.
Wilson has been on the BBC since 1998, moving from 5 Live to Match of the Day and being a recognisable voice for the FA Cup, too.
Steve Bower
Steve Bower
Another Match of the Day regular, Steve Bower will be on commentary at the World Cup.
Bower has also been heard on TNT Sports, PL Productions and DAZN.
Jonathan Pearce
Jonathan Pearce
The sardonic Jonathan Pearce will be back for another World Cup, and plenty of witty remarks.
Pearce is beloved by fans old enough to remember him as the commentator of Eric Cantona's kung-fu kick in the 1990s, and of the BBC's cult classic show, Robot Wars.
Robyn Cowen
Robyn Cowen
The only female commentator on the BBC’s lineup, Robyn Cowen has become a highly-regarded contributor on Match of the Day.
Steven Wyeth
Steven Wyeth
Steven Wyeth has worked with the BBC and TNT Sports as a commentator for several years.
Liam McLeod
Liam McLeod
Liam McLeod will provide a Scottish perspective on commentary.
Co-commentators
Stephen Warnock
Stephen Warnock
Former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock will be on co-commentary.
Efan Ekoku
Efan Ekoku
Ex-Nigeria international Efan Ekoku is part of the co-commentary team.
Martin Keown
Martin Keown
Former Invincible Martin Keown’s distinctive voice will provide in-game analysis.
Sue Smith
Sue Smith
Former Lionesses Sue Smith will be on co-commentary duty.
