Football is set to dominate the next several weeks as the FIFA World Cup 2026 takes place across the Atlantic throughout the summer. The 37-day tournament kicks off on Thursday, June 11, with an opening ceremony featuring global superstars Katy Perry, Future, Anitta, LISA, Rema, and Tyla, followed by the first match between Mexico and South Africa.
ITV's Broadcast Hub in Brooklyn
ITV will broadcast its coverage live from a brand new studio in Brooklyn, New York. The studio offers stunning panoramic views of the iconic Manhattan skyline and will serve as the network's home for the entire tournament. ITV will begin its coverage with the first two matches.
Lead Presenters
ITV Sport’s FIFA World Cup 2026 coverage will be led by Mark Pougatch, Laura Woods, and Semra Hunter. They will be joined by a star-studded lineup of top football pundits, presenters, commentators, and reporters.
Pundits
The full list of pundits providing analysis from ITV’s studios includes Roy Keane, Ian Wright, Gary Neville, Patrick Vieira, Karen Carney, Ange Postecoglou, Juan Mata, Emma Hayes, Duncan Ferguson, Jobi McAnuff, and Bradley Wright-Phillips.
Commentary Team
Commentary will be led by Sam Matterface, Jon Champion, Seb Hutchinson, and Joe Speight. Co-commentary is provided by Lee Dixon, Ally McCoist, Andros Townsend, and Lucy Ward. On-the-ground reporters are Gabriel Clarke and Connie McLaughlin. Christina Unkel returns as the Referee Analyst, offering insights into major refereeing decisions and VAR calls.
Special Segments
Adam Richman, known from Man v Food, will co-present alongside Semra Hunter in the Brooklyn studio. A dedicated section of the studio will examine the biggest World Cup social and cultural moments. Adam will be joined by celebrity guests, bringing his unique broadcasting perspective. Daniyal Khan serves as ITV Sport’s social reporter, capturing the tournament atmosphere on the streets of New York.
Match Coverage
ITV will air 34 group-stage matches, including England’s first match against Croatia live from Dallas on Wednesday, June 17 at 9pm (UK), England’s final group match against Panama on June 27 at 10pm (UK), and Scotland’s group match against Morocco on June 19 at 11pm (UK). ITV will also broadcast three quarter-final top picks, including the first two, and five of the top nine round of 32 matches. Coverage includes the first matches for current champions Argentina, as well as Germany, the Netherlands, and Spain. The final on July 19 will be shown live on both ITV and BBC.
