BBC viewers expressed outrage during England's World Cup semi-final against Argentina on Wednesday, July 15, as the broadcaster implemented a major format change by sending its presenting team to Atlanta for the first time in the tournament.
BBC Pundits Finally Travel to US
The BBC's reporting team—Mark Chapman, Joe Hart, Wayne Rooney, and Micah Richards—arrived in Atlanta for the match, after previously broadcasting live from a state-of-the-art immersive studio in Salford, Manchester. In contrast, ITV had been based in a Brooklyn studio throughout the tournament.
Viewers were surprised by the sudden relocation, with many taking to X (formerly Twitter) to share their thoughts. One viewer wrote: "The BBC finally arrive at the World Cup. Only about a month late." Another added: "I see that the BBC pundits have finally bothered to travel out for the World Cup."
Mixed Reactions to Studio Change
While some fans were confused by the change, others noted the irony. One viewer commented: "Remember all that nonsense about the BBC presenting the World Cup from Salford while ITV1 was actually IN one of the host countries?! Tonight, one of them presents LIVE from a stadium for the first time. What one? Yes, the BBC!" Another said: "BBC actually made it to the World Cup. Crazy."
Montage Sparks Anger
However, many viewers were frustrated by the BBC's decision to open its coverage with a montage of England's most heart-wrenching footballing moments, rather than inspiring footage of past triumphs. One viewer fumed: "The BBC could not hate us more! We play Argentina tonight in the World Cup semi-final and how does the [BBC] open its coverage? Some inspiring footage of England's past triumphs? Of course not. They open with a montage of some of our most devastating footballing moments. With the soundtrack of a post apocalyptic horror movie playing in the background."
Another wrote: "The rest of the build up is just one big [Lionel] Messi love in! It's sickening, FFS if I was Kane or Bellingham I'd be fuming, let's have some god damn positivity please BBC."
Additional Complaints
Other viewers criticized the overall coverage, with one saying: "BBC coverage of the World Cup is awful. Or is that just me?" Another complained: "Audio is terrible." During the broadcast, Wayne Rooney described Lionel Messi as an "absolute legend" and "the greatest of all time," while the hosts praised Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham for their performances in the tournament.
The winner of the semi-final will face Spain in the final on Sunday, July 19, in New Jersey. Coverage of the FIFA World Cup 2026 airs on the BBC and ITV.
