Gabby Logan was left astonished to learn that fellow broadcaster and podcast co-host Mark Chapman will not be part of the BBC's coverage of the 2026 World Cup final. Logan is set to front the BBC's TV coverage of the showpiece occasion, making history as the first woman to do so, but Chapman will be absent from the match at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
The scheduling conflict came to light during a recent episode of The Sports Agents podcast, which the pair have co-hosted since 2024. Following England's emphatic 4-2 victory over Croatia, Logan asked Chapman about his plans for a potential final involving Thomas Tuchel's Three Lions. Chapman revealed he would be covering The Open Championship at Royal Birkdale instead.
Logan, visibly surprised, asked: "Are you doing radio?" Chapman confirmed he would be at the golf, prompting Logan to exclaim: "Oh, God." Chapman explained: "I'm doing The Open golf that weekend, and then I will drive back from The Open golf listening to Kelly and the build-up on the radio and then I'll catch some of you on the telly."
While the BBC relinquished the rights to televise The Open in 2016, Radio 5 Live still holds the rights to provide full commentary. Chapman remains the principal presenter of 5 Live Sport, meaning he will travel to Southport next month to front the coverage. The 2026 edition of The Open is being played at Royal Birkdale for the first time since 2017.
Logan will have only studio pundits for company when the final arrives, with Kelly Cates in the United States covering the match live from the stadium for radio. The three presenters—Logan, Chapman, and Cates—were announced as replacements for Gary Lineker on Match of the Day last year and have been rotating duties during the World Cup from the BBC's Salford base.
