Fans have heavily criticised the BBC for hiring Olivier Giroud as a pundit for the 2026 World Cup, with complaints flooding social media about his performance. The tournament, which features 48 teams and an extra 40 matches compared to the 2022 edition in Qatar, has forced broadcasters to expand their punditry teams. However, Giroud's inclusion has been widely panned.
Fan outrage on social media
Viewers have taken to X to voice their displeasure. @AshleenPrior wrote: “Olivier Giroud is soooo painful to listen to. Awful pundit.” @stokaljona added: “We’ve got to get rid of Giroud as a pundit, I can’t keep doing this.” @TulsaLange called the decision “disastrous,” stating: “Whoever it was at the BBC that thought that Olivier Giroud could be a pundit has made a disastrous decision. He's absolutely abysmal.”
@mohammedali_93 questioned: “Giroud is such a poor pundit. What were the BBC thinking?” @isoquince complained: “Giroud talks too slowly for TV.” @9_Hendo pointed out an error: “Olivier Giroud has just said Belgium can bring on Lois Openda second half. Lois Openda wasn't selected by Belgium for the #WorldCup.” @lynzr33 added: “Who in @BBCSport thought getting Olivier Giroud as a pundit was a good idea? I’m sure he’s a great bloke & has a wealth of knowledge but he’s not able to speak English well enough to be doing that.”
Giroud's punditry debut
Giroud, now in his late thirties, still plays for Lille in Ligue 1. After participating in the Club World Cup in the United States last summer, he has turned to punditry for the first time. Speaking about his new role earlier this month, Giroud said: “I’m really excited about starting a new experience. And yeah, looking forward to seeing Micah [Richards] and Wazza [Wayne Rooney].”
The BBC shares hosting rights for the 2026 World Cup with ITV. England's tournament began on ITV against Croatia on Wednesday, with the BBC scheduled to broadcast the second group match against Ghana.
