ITV viewers expressed outrage over the opening night of the 2026 World Cup coverage, calling for changes to the punditry lineup after a series of on-air mistakes.
Controversial Guest Pundit
The tournament kicked off at the Azteca Stadium, where Mexico City defeated South Africa 2-0 in a match featuring three red cards. While regular pundits Gary Neville, Ian Wright, and Roy Keane provided analysis, ITV included a segment with Adam Richman, known for Man v Food, as a guest. Viewers quickly took to social media to criticize his appearance, with one user calling it "cringe" and another demanding the network "get rid of that American bloke."
Semra Hunter's Blunder
Richman appeared alongside Semra Hunter, who made a glaring error by referring to former Chelsea manager Graham Potter as Gareth Southgate. Fans were quick to notice, with comments like "No way they just called Graham Potter Gareth Southgate on ITV" and "Why did the woman just call Graham Potter, Gareth Southgate?" Others mocked Hunter for praising Richman for pronouncing "Villarreal" correctly.
ITV has invested heavily in its World Cup coverage, broadcasting from a studio in New York City with panoramic views. In contrast, the BBC opted to stay in the UK for the group stage before moving to the US for the knockout rounds. ITV Director of Sport Niall Sloane defended the lineup, stating, "Our broadcast line-up is second to none."
