“They Think It’s All Over… It’s Scripted Now!”
The World Cup 2026 coverage on ITV and the BBC has featured a whole host of commentators and summarisers giving their insight and opinions on the greatest football tournament of them all. Millions of supporters tune in to catch the action from the other side of the planet at predominantly unsociable hours, guided through each match by expert analysis and professional voices.
The irritability of fans on social media is not only confined to the late nights or eye-reddening early starts. Fans have been quick to criticise the standard of both punditry and commentary throughout the tournament, with ITV notably coming in for the lion’s share of the criticism.
ITV’s coverage came under scrutiny following pundit Emma Hayes’ confinement to a kitchen while first presenting a half-time tactical run-through on a chalkboard in a game between Spain and Cape Verde. Social media saw the opportunity as an open goal for levity. While the setting appeared entirely innocent from ITV’s perspective, the discussion around sexism in the national media that followed cast a cloud over the network’s decision.
Viewers of a certain vintage will have grown up with the smooth delivery of Des Lynam or the dulcet tones of Barry Davies, John Motson and Brian Moore, all of whom were involved in major tournament coverage on the BBC and ITV. As times have changed, social media has come to play a prominent role in creating short, sharp clips to promote football coverage, requiring key buzzwords and phrases to attract viewers.
England’s final group-stage tie against Panama resulted in a 2–0 victory for the Three Lions, yet one of the main talking points after the match came from a clip inside the commentary position. Lead commentator Sam Matterface, while calling Jude Bellingham’s opening goal, was seen to be reading from a pre-prepared line on a clipboard.
“You just knew it was going to be him,” Matterface declared, taking a long look at his notes. Fans were quick to criticise the lack of spontaneity in his delivery, with many expressing disbelief that a commentator would read directly from a pre-prepared script. Interestingly, ITV has now taken down the clip of that particular moment.
Living in the moment has become a topic of conversation among commentators. In a recent interview, Peter Drury confirmed that as Sky Sports’ lead commentator, he does not resort to scripted lines. Drury stated, “From the moment the first whistle goes until the moment the final whistle goes, it is all off the cuff.” He went on to add, “You couldn’t possibly plan what you’re going to say because you don’t know what is going to happen.”
As the older generation of commentators, who conveyed the emotion of a moment instinctively during games gone by, edge closer to retirement, the voices that follow face the challenges of increased worldwide coverage and the pressure from social media to deliver the next unforgettable line.