Gabby Logan was left visibly stunned after learning that her BBC colleague and podcast co-host Mark Chapman will not be part of the World Cup 2026 final coverage. Logan is set to make history as the first woman to front the BBC's television coverage of the showpiece occasion at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on July 19. However, Chapman will be absent, as he is committed to presenting BBC Radio 5 Live's coverage of The Open Championship at Royal Birkdale that same weekend.
Logan Unaware of Scheduling Conflict
Both Logan and Chapman are titans of British sports broadcasting, with a combined six decades of television experience. When Gary Lineker stepped down from presenting Match of the Day last year, the duo, alongside Kelly Cates, were announced as his replacements. At the World Cup, the three have been rotating presenting duties from the BBC's Salford base, but they have also maintained other broadcasting commitments.
During a recent episode of their podcast The Sports Agents, which they have co-hosted since 2024, Logan and Chapman discussed their plans for the final following England's emphatic 4-2 victory over Croatia. Logan asked, "Are you already kind of working out where you're going to watch the World Cup final? Because you're working on it, aren't you?" Chapman's response caught her off guard: "No, I'm not. No, I'm not."
Logan then inquired, "Are you doing radio?" Chapman revealed, "No, I'll be at the golf." Logan let out an "Oh, God," before 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."
Chapman's Commitment to The Open
While the BBC relinquished television rights to The Open in 2016, Radio 5 Live still holds the rights to provide full ball-by-ball radio commentary. This means Chapman will travel to Southport next month to front the coverage, with the 2026 edition being played at Royal Birkdale for the first time since 2017. The championship first appeared on the BBC in 1955 and remained on its TV channels for 60 unbroken years before Sky Sports assumed broadcasting rights a decade ago.
Logan remarked, "You're going to be at the golf? My gosh. That could be an extraordinary day, couldn't it? I think they might change their tee-off times if England are in a World Cup final." Chapman responded, "They could bring it forward a bit. Normally, it finishes between 6pm and 7pm. I would imagine if England or Scotland are in the final, they may want it to finish between 5pm and 6pm."
Final Coverage Plans
Logan will have only studio pundits for company when the final arrives. Kelly Cates will be in the United States covering the match live from the stadium for radio, leaving Logan to anchor the BBC's television broadcast. Chapman's absence means the BBC's flagship football coverage will proceed without one of its key presenters, a fact that clearly surprised Logan.
