World Cup 2026 is now in the books and it’s safe to say some pundits proved their value, while others left fans utterly underwhelmed over the past five weeks
Wayne Rooney emerged as a star among World Cup 2026 pundits and was among the BBC’s finest contributors(Image: BBC Sport)
This summer’s World Cup proved to be the feast of football fans wanted but the on-field stars are nothing without the pundits calling the action. ITV and the BBC once again went to war in their quadrennial tug-of-war, each featuring a star-studded array of commentators and broadcasting talent.
Except not every ex-pro or manager on the panel was necessarily worthy of the investment as Spain pipped Argentina to the top prize. At the same time, other new names in the punditry arena emerged as the stars of tomorrow and will undoubtedly be back on our screens come 2030.
From historic moments illustrated in real time to bizarre accounts of cat-nappings, World Cup 2026 had a little bit of everything.
Mirror Football has ranked every major name to have starred over the past month-and-a-half, as well as deciding who really came out on top between the Beeb and ITV productions.
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BBC
Wayne Rooney: 8.5/10
If there was already growing sentiment Wayne Rooney is a sleeping giant of the punditry scene, Sunday’s final was his awakening. And it gave us a true glimpse of the grump at his best, mocking the half-time performance as “c**p” while his BBC colleagues fawned over the display in New Jersey.
That was just the icing on the cake of what was otherwise an insightful, informative and consistently interesting contribution from the Manchester United icon, however. Not to mention Rooney showed what a good sport he was by (kind of) adhering to his wager with Erling Haaland by rowing down the Hudson River.
England’s former all-time top scorer was succinct in his analysis but knows exactly when a situation calls for some levity. He also ensured he’ll be on the right side of history by criticising the FIFA shambles surrounding Folarin Balogun’s red card being suspended for the Belgium encounter.
Danny Murphy: 4/10
It was the most caricatured ‘bored English pundit’ sentence on record and one that will never leave Danny Murphy. We’re of course talking about the ex-midfielder’s missing cat, Bob, and the bizarre mid-match story no-one ever asked for.
“I used to have a cat called Bob,” said Murphy while commentating on Norway’s round-of-32 win over the Ivory Coast, seemingly inspired by Norwegian winger Oscar Bobb. “He jumped into the back of a Royal Mail van, and we lost him.”
A moment as fleeting as our connection to the cat in question, who was later found before being adopted by friends of his family, Murphy revealed. It says a lot about his punditry that this will be what his World Cup is remembered for most.
The BBC clearly enjoyed the unintentionally iconic piece of punditry, too, after ‘Bob the Cat’ was credited as its ‘Commentary Mascot’ in the broadcaster’s closing montage.
Cesar Azpilicueta: 7.5/10
The only complaint one might make of Cesar Azpilicueta’s performance over the past five weeks is that fans may have liked to hear a little more from him. However, there’s perhaps only so much one can expect from an ex-pro speaking in their second language (or third, given Azpilicueta is also fluent in French).
That said, the ex-Chelsea captain was intuitive in his assessments, particularly when commenting on defensive structure. Had he gone on the offensive himself a little more, Azpilicueta might have broken into the top bracket of World Cup pundits himself.
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Steph Houghton: 7/10
There are few more experienced England players the BBC could have called upon than former Lionesses captain Steph Houghton. And the Manchester City great duly delivered, coming off well on screen and, like Azpilicueta, strutting her knowledge in particular around the defensive side of the game.
Joe Hart: 8.5/10
Joe Hart did not look out of place among more experienced pundits(Image: BBC)
Arguably the British breakout star of the entire tournament and one we look forward to seeing a lot more of on screens in future. In Joe Hart, Micah Richards finally has a foil willing to bring the same spirited energy and affable quality to his football coverage.
The ex-England goalkeeper’s passion for the tournament was contagious but he consistently brought the tools able to back it up in his breakdowns. And not only in regards to those between the posts, providing potent pearls of wisdom on tactics and the thought processes players might be experiencing under pressure.
Hart showed he was up for any and every challenge by helping former team-mate Rooney with his row down the Hudson. Ironically, he got much wetter performing a pre-World Cup final preview in New York, where he was drenched in torrential conditions and even lost his shoes.
Ashley Williams: 6/10
Fairly middle of the road among BBC contributors, Ashley Williams was…fine. There’s nothing to knock about the Wales great’s analysis, particularly when discussing his preferred arena in defence, but there simply wasn’t enough charisma or confidence in his efforts to stand out among a crowd of more impassioned peers.
Thomas Frank: 8.5/10
When Thomas Frank speaks about football, there’s a sense you need to listen out of fear you could quickly miss out on a gem of tactical treasure. Arguably the Dane’s greatest quality is his ability to put complicated concepts into terms even those without a UEFA licence can easily interpret.
Unlike more former managers, Frank is also likeable due to the fact he’s also a lot more candid and forthcoming with his passion for the sport. It may not have been sufficient to make for success at Spurs but he may have found a new calling.
Lucas Leiva: 5/10
One would have been forgiven missing Lucas Leiva’s cameos during this World Cup. And that goes as much for those who were actually watching those games he actually worked for the BBC.
Again, it can be more difficult to judge those who may not feel as comfortable not speaking in their first language. However, the Liverpool fan favourite was nonetheless overly cautious and therefore didn’t contribute much.
Unlucky.
Olivier Giroud: 5.5/10
Olivier Giroud looked the part but at times sounded slightly out of his depth(Image: BBC)
If the World Cup pundits were ranked on looks alone, there’s a high chance Olivier Giroud may be the only one to walk away with full marks. As it is, however, his breakdown of what was happening on-field was sorely lacking and received criticism from plenty of supporters online.
The former Chelsea and Arsenal frontman gets brownie points for certain insights on the France squad, which he was still part of in the not-too-distant past. Everything else was médiocre (mediocre).
Gael Clichy: 7.5/10
On the other hand, fellow Arsenal alumnus Gael Clichy perhaps turned a lot of surprised heads with how effective he was at times. Much like he was as a player, the retired left-back was no-nonsense and showed plenty of conviction in his comments, with a welcome sprinkle of anecdotes from his own career.
Ellen White: 8.5/10
It was hard not to like Ellen White as a player; now arguably even more so as a pundit. As fans stayed up for some of the less attractive early-hours kick-offs, the highest goalscorer in the history of the Lionesses gave a much-needed push of positivity.
As is only natural for the former Chelsea and Arsenal poacher, White’s main area of expertise lent itself well to breaking down striker movement and the like. Went about her work with confidence and was consistently engaging for viewers when she did appear.
Thomas Hitzelsperger: 8/10
It was almost cruel to watch Thomas Hitzelsperger oversee Germany’s demise live as they exited at Paraguayan hands in the last 32. However, his candid commentary only added to his appeal as he refused to sugarcoat his own team’s shortcomings.
Add to that his jewels of wisdom on all things midfield-related and you have the makings of a very strong performance for the BBC.
Netflix
Gary Lineker: 8/10
Gary Lineker’s Netflix World Cup coverage offered audiences a very different feel(Image: Netflix)
Netflix’s World Cup production became something of a third wheel to the BBC versus ITV drama that took centre stage. However, it inevitably had a reliable captain steering the ship in Gary Lineker.
The Leicester City legend contributed to a slightly unorthodox alternative on the streaming service. It worked in its own way but was inevitably overshadowed by its terrestrial counterparts.
That’s more a matter of exposure, however, as Lineker himself was characteristically solid and gave his usual above-average display. He even added his own bit to the soap opera by making cameos on both ITV and BBC productions, gatecrashing Richards on the latter following England’s memorable win over Norway.
Joe Cole: 6/10
You sometimes got the impression that Joe Cole began breaking things down without fully knowing the destination he was trying to reach. The ex-Chelsea trickster gets kudos for being the relatable man on the ground but his analysis often left you with more questions than before he started speaking.
Netflix also hosted a somewhat awkward moment when he hinted the World Cup was at risk of appearing rigged for a certain Lionel Messi to win.
John Mikel Obi: 7.5/10
The man who called out former team-mate Cole for his allusion to a Messi fix, John Mikel Obi called it as he saw it. That clash with Cole in particular made for good viewing as he passionately defended his own stance and called out the Cristiano Ronaldo boo boys.
Mikel also has a likeable habit of coming out with truly intriguing points not raised by his colleagues. And that podcast feel to his approach made for a heartening fireside-chat style of punditry.
Micah Richards: 8/10
Micah Richards offered his usual injection of energy for multiple broadcasters at World Cup 2026(Image: Netflix)
Performing a dual role on Netflix and the BBC, Richards somehow managed to maintain his unparalleled punditry passion across all mediums. Simply put, it’s hard to come away from a production when Richards is part of the ride without coming round to the excited kid sat among usually more demure cast members.
Sure, he may not come close to matching the intricate analysis displayed by the Thomas Franks of the world. But the current British football scene would be a lot poorer were it not for his input, even if it is oriented more for the TikTok generation.
Points lost for suggesting the disgraceful Leandro Paredes was “better than” the red card antics witnessed during and after the World Cup final. The Argentinian’s long history of bullying tactics would suggest otherwise.
Alan Shearer: 7/10
Like Richards, Shearer was on the books for the BBC alongside his appearances with The Rest Is Football crew. And his commentary gave the usual brutally honest soundbites that tend to go down well with British fans.
The Newcastle icon loses some points for being almost too dour at points, however, not quite catching the balance between thought-provoking and just downright grouchy.
ITV
Roy Keane: 8.5/10
Roy Keane brought humour and insight in equal measure at this World Cup(Image: ITV)
The most un-Roy Keane performance at a major tournament to date as he continues to move away from the disappointed dad display. And it only makes for an even more engaging version of the Irishman’s usually pithy persona.
That’s not to say Keane’s crushing critiques didn’t still appear in packed punches when relevant. However, he continues to demonstrate there are more strings to his bow, breaking down player mentality more so than anything in valuable measure.
When Keane appeared on ITV, you tended to perk up and usually for good reason. If that’s not the sign of a pundit worth listening to, we don’t know what is.
Gary Neville: 7.5/10
A more downbeat Gary Neville than fans are perhaps used to seeing. He even outscored long-time colleague Keane in the grump stakes, which takes some doing.
Amid the sea of critiques it’s often possible to make about England at major tournament, there are routinely more positives worth focusing on. Neville fiercely represented that inclination to lean into the gloom and it more often than not made for unattractive viewing.
In keeping with that theme, his touch of realism did come in handy with one pre-tournament prediction that exhibited his nous. That being his premonition that the Three Lions would struggle to keep possession against the top teams, just as they did in the closing stages of their exit to Argentina.
Ally McCoist: 7/10
In direct contrast to that style, Ally McCoist brought his usual golden retriever-esque charm to proceedings. There’s arguably no-one in the punditry community who audibly enjoys a well-struck ball as much as the Scottish icon.
Too often do some pundits get lost in the weeds of tactics and come out sounding like they don’t entirely know what they’re saying. McCoist rarely gets too deep into the minute details but his undying love for the game is infectious in itself.
Emma Hayes: 9.5/10
Ex-Chelsea women’s coach Emma Hayes was the best pundit at World Cup 2026(Image: ITV)
Acting as a foil to Keane’s contributions around character and moxy (or lack thereof), Emma Hayes starred as ITV’s tactical whiz time and time again. The only complaint around her nous is that we perhaps didn’t get to see enough of it.
Should we be surprised? The United States boss and seven-time WSL winner at Chelsea has dominated women’s coaching for more than a decade and nonchalantly conjures up the kind of tactical tidbits that make you realise why.
If ITV knows what it’s doing, it will lock Hayes – who also worked on the Netflix production – down for future tournaments and get her in front of that whiteboard with increasing regularity.
Ian Wright: 8.5/10
Another who offers passion in inexhaustible quantities, Ian Wright was yet again a star of the ITV production. If he wasn’t getting you excited during build-up or half-time breaks, the Arsenal great’s activities around the ITV base in Brooklyn made for a superb sideshow.
He’s a man England fans can rally around given he always seems to represent the everyman sentiment in the professional scene. Best of all, however, he actually knows his football and brings viewers into the fold with shrewd understanding.
Bradley Wright-Phillips: 7/10
It was a clever move by ITV to rope in Bradley Wright-Phillips as a father-and-son act that would have made Stavros Flately envious. As a Major League Soccer icon, the New York Red Bulls icon did a fine job acting as a conduit between the US and UK sides of the spectrum.
Patrick Vieira: 8.5/10
He may not have the sense of humour of a Keane, but Patrick Vieira has also moved handily from his midfield enforcer role as a pundit. What’s more, his tactical analysis is up there with the best of the tournament, which should come as no surprise for one who’s prioritised the move into management.
That’s not to say the Frenchman isn’t without his funny moments and he bounces particularly off former arch-nemesis Keane. As was the case throughout his playing career, there’s not really anything one can say ‘Pat’ does badly.
Ange Postecoglou: 9/10
Ange Postecoglou entertained and educated this summer(Image: The Overlap)
Another masterstroke by ITV was adding the cerebral mind of Ange Postecoglou to its ranks this summer. As one might expect from a man who cut his teeth managing in lower-profile leagues like Japan and Australia, there didn’t seem to be a nation Postecoglou wasn’t informed on.
Whatever the fixture, the former Spurs and Celtic boss had something insightful to contribute. Add to that the fact he comes across as a genuinely likeable human and the new Al-Nassr coach makes for an extremely potent punditry package.
Lee Dixon: 3.5/10
Truly, there may never have been an ex-pro who sounded so disappointed to be working at a World Cup. Lee Dixon’s monotone musings on matchday duties often gave the impression he would have preferred to be called up for jury service than featuring at the biggest sporting event on the planet.
Karen Carney: 7/10
Karen Carney continuously demonstrates she has the tactical nous to interpret the game as well as most peers despite what online trolls might say. The England centurion clearly tried to inject positivity when fixtures were sometimes feeling flat, albeit lacking a little of that human touch that makes the likes of Wright and Hayes so likeable.
Jobi McAnuff: 8/10
A somewhat unexpected star of the World Cup when called upon. Again, Jobi McAnuff was mostly relegated to certain late kick-offs and therefore may have gone unnoticed by many but his deep research into his work came across well.
There should be no surprises the retired Reading winger’s delivery was top notch, too.
Duncan Ferguson: 7/10
Sticking with that theme of surprise packages, Duncan Ferguson’s World Cup samples were also hard not to enjoy when he did appear. As one might expect, the honourary Evertonian was certainly not lacking in confidence, which made for smooth watching as he put those around him at ease.
Andros Townsend: 7/10
Andros Townsend gave certain spectators a laugh when he referred to MK Dons (one of his former clubs) as a ‘franchise’ before immediately apologising to ITV viewers. Albeit not for ITV, Townsend also took it upon himself to produce self-made content on TikTok showcasing his analysis skills and was absolutely on the money, veering away from the anti-Thomas Tuchel narrative.
FOX
Thierry Henry: 8.5/10
FOX was lucky to have Thierry Henry as a pundit(Image: Fox Sports)
World Cup fans in the UK may understandably feel some pangs of regret that Thierry Henry isn’t signed up to one of the British broadcasters. Their loss has been FOX’s gain and the American production benefits massively from the Frenchman’s pure approach.
Another of those examples that when he speaks, you tend to perk up your ears. And 1998 World Cup-winner Henry is a particularly valuable resource to the ‘soccer’ crowd overseas given he’s an all-time great who can pick the game apart in relatable and often almost poetic terms.
Alexi Lalas: 3/10
Without doing too much of a disservice to one of US football’s biggest broadcasting champions of the 21st century, Alexi Lalas too often looked out of his depth at this World Cup. Surrounded by genuine icons of the game, it too often came across as though he was trying to educate far more celebrated peers rather than handing them the platforms they deserve.
Rio Ferdinand: 6.5/10
Rio Ferdinand was only a minor cast member of the FOX production as he appeared on James Corden’s spin-off show over the tournament. That being said, he had his value as a boots-on-the-ground member of the team and his passion for the England cause came across well.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic: 8/10
Again, FOX orchestrated a masterstroke by pairing the infatiguable calm of Zlatan Ibrahimovic with the boyish charm of Henry. Always good for a soundbite, Zlatan made his major broadcasting debut in a way that had even fans outside the US wanting to keep up with the FOX team.
That nonchalance comes at a cost, though, and Ibrahimovic at times seemed overly reliant on being funny rather than offering genuine insights. However, his hilarious ‘Who?’ response to Lalas’ absence from one broadcast will live long in this World Cup’s memory.
Thiago Alcantara: 7.5/10
A potential star in the making if his commitment to coaching doesn’t take him too far outside the punditry bubble. As one might only expect, Thiago Alcantara’s analysis and ability to spot trends others did not marked him out as a true disciple of Pep Guardiola.
Clint Dempsey: 8/10
If Alexi Lalas showcased a certain level of arrogance from the US perspective, Clint Dempsey exemplified the much more relatable stance from across the pond. A modern great for the Stars and Stripes, ‘Deuce’ sounded confident in his work without verging into cockiness, particularly when celebrating the United States’ early achievements.
Clarence Seedorf: 8.5/10
The older head in the room that made even the likes of Henry and Ibrahimovic tilt their caps out of respect. If there’s one thing that has come across over the past month-and-a-half of FOX television, it’s that Clarence Seedorf knows ball.
The Dutchman seamlessly unpacked plays in scientific detail without it sounding like a chore to those at home. A rare combination of craftsmanship and character, every voyage that had Seedorf aboard was inherently more enjoyable to watch.
BBC vs ITV Verdict
The BBC got its World Cup coverage off to a poor start after it emerged the production team wouldn’t even be in the States for the entirety of the group stage. ITV, by contrast, unveiled a sprawling Brooklyn set that made viewers feel like they were close to the action from start to finish.
Visuals aside, the overall selection of contributors and median performance was also better on ITV’s behalf. Additions like Hayes and Postecoglou in particular added fresh, incisive elements to the equation, while promoting talents like McAnuff showed its ability to spot rising talent.
World Cup 2026 champion: ITV
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