BBC's cost-cutting World Cup coverage set to lose out to rivals as star-studded line-up revealed

This decision is driven by budgetary pressures and the BBC's commitment to reducing its carbon footprint by limiting air travel.

The expansion of the tournament to 48 teams and 104 matches, up from 32 teams and 64 games, combined with the logistical challenges of staging the event across the United States, Canada and Mexico, has significantly influenced the corporation's planning.

Some group-stage matches will feature commentary from studios in England rather than from venues in North America.

However, ITV, which is sharing the coverage, has revealed a starkly different strategy, securing a striking Brooklyn studio overlooking the Manhattan skyline and the Brooklyn Bridge for its World Cup coverage this summer.

The broadcaster is finalising arrangements to bring back popular duo of Roy Keane and Ian Wright, who will analyse matches from the New York location throughout the tournament.

Mark Pougatch and Laura Woods are set to front the coverage, with Pougatch expected to lead presentation duties for England fixtures.

The analysis team has proved a major draw at recent tournaments, with ITV's coverage of England's Euro 2020 semi-final triumph over Denmark attracting a peak audience of 27.6 million viewers.

The two broadcasters have split the 104 fixtures, with ITV showing 51 matches and the BBC 54.

ITV will broadcast 29 group-stage games, including England's opening fixture against Croatia in Dallas on June 17 and their final group match against Panama on June 27.

The BBC holds rights to England's second group game against Ghana at Foxborough's Gillette Stadium on June 23, as well as Scotland's encounter with Brazil.

Should England progress through the tournament, the BBC would cover their round of 32 and round of 16 ties, while ITV has secured three quarter-final picks, including the first two selections.

Both channels will broadcast the final simultaneously.

ITV intends to capitalise on its American base by producing travelogues and mini-documentaries to complement the live match coverage.

Historical viewing data indicate that the BBC typically outperforms its rival when both channels air simultaneously.

The 2022 World Cup final between Argentina and France drew a peak of 15 million viewers on the BBC compared to 4.3 million on ITV.

However, ITV can attract substantial audiences when broadcasting exclusively, demonstrated by the 10.2 million peak viewership for England's Women's Euro 2025 semi-final victory over Italy last summer.

The event became the channel's biggest audience of that year.

Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter