'/%3e%3cdefs%3e%3clinearGradient%20id='prefix__paint0_linear_4737_37157'%20x1='3.018'%20y1='23.6'%20x2='44.925'%20y2='24.977'%20gradientUnits='userSpaceOnUse'%3e%3cstop%20stop-color='%231CB7FF'/%3e%3cstop%20offset='.502'%20stop-color='%232FF58B'/%3e%3c/linearGradient%3e%3c/defs%3e%3c/svg%3e)
BBC insists it WILL have commentators at the 2026 World Cup through whole tournament despite 'work from home' report
Dec 03 2025 11:17 · By onefootball.com · 86 Reads
Spokesperson tells the Standard the BBC will be commentating on site throughout next summer’s tournament in USA, Canada and Mexico
The BBC has denied a report it will not send TV pundits and commentators to North America for the 2026 World Cup until the quarter-final stage.
Daily Mail Sport reported that the BBC would cover matches remotely from its Salford base, suggesting the broadcaster would not have its own studio at the tournament.
When approached by The Standard, the BBC said: “The claim that we won't be commentating from the US until the quarters is not true.”
They confirmed the BBC will be commentating on site throughout the tournament.
A spokesman for the service said: “The BBC is committed to a world-class sports offer across TV, radio and online, and we are focused on delivering more value to audiences.
“This includes transforming our digital offer to meet audiences where they are in this competitive media landscape.
“Change is essential as we continue to deliver value to all, and we’re communicating openly to staff to ensure teams are informed and supported throughout.”
In its report, Daily Mail Sport said “sources believe the quarter-finals are the plan, although some have raised the prospect of no travelling TV pundits until the semi-finals”.
It suggested the cost of covering the tournament across three countries, and one which features 48 nations instead of 32, partly informed the decision.
A BBC spokesperson said: “We serve all audiences through our comprehensive, multi-platform football offer.
“Fans are covered across Match of the Day’s Premier League and Champions League highlights, our podcasts such as The Wayne Rooney Show, our extensive digital and social platforms, live text coverage, the BBC Sport website and our radio output.
“We provide commentaries every week on teams across the entire football pyramid, with dedicated pages for those clubs on our website. We deliver more coverage of more teams and more sports than any other media company in the world.”
This article is being updated...