The BBC has announced strong viewership numbers for its World Cup coverage, even as the broadcaster faced criticism for not sending pundits to North America and after former host Gary Lineker appeared as a pundit on rival network ITV.
Record Day on BBC Sport App
According to the BBC, Wednesday, July 17, 2026, delivered their biggest day on the BBC Sport app since the final of Euro 2024. The broadcaster also reported that highlights packages have seen close to a 200 per cent increase in streams compared to Euro 2024, though this may be partly due to matches kicking off at unsociable hours in the UK, prompting more viewers to catch up on demand.
UHD and Podcast Success
The BBC noted that France vs Senegal became the biggest ever UHD event on the BBC. On the podcasting side, the Football Daily’s visualised show has attracted almost a quarter of a million streams. The broadcaster has been covering the World Cup from its Salford studio, with plans to send a team on the ground for the knockout stages.
Response to Criticism
The BBC faced backlash from viewers for not sending pundits to North America initially. Over the weekend, Gary Lineker appeared as a pundit on ITV, having left the BBC last year following a row over alleged anti-Semitic social media posts after more than two decades with the broadcaster. Despite this, BBC Director of Sport Alex Kay-Jelski said: “On top of the millions flocking to live games - even in the middle of the night - it’s fantastic to see the appetite for our on-demand World Cup coverage has sky-rocketed. Whether it’s our no-spoiler highlights, the visualised Football Daily podcast or our new shorts video tab, live pages and written stories, we are meeting audiences where they are, when they want. We’re delighted to see the influx of young audiences using our 3D tool and games alongside the loyal BBC Sport obsessives who are devouring cricket, tennis and more alongside the football.”
