While the World Cup was over and Spain took home the trophy by defeating Argentina in the final, there was another battle unfolding on our screens between the BBC and ITV.
Wayne Rooney caught the attention of the BBC this summer (Image: BBC)
Wayne Rooney has been voted the best pundit during the World Cup by Mirror readers. The former England and Manchester United striker was one of the BBC’s star signings of the tournament and made an impact on viewers.
Rooney, 40, has attracted the attention of pundits in recent years after abandoning his bid to become a manager at Plymouth Argyle in 2024. Although he struggled most of the time in the dugout, his combination of analytical skills and game positioning has helped him settle in well in front of the camera.
He was a regular on the BBC during the 104-game World Cup in North America, providing some memorable moments. His brutally candid opinion about the World Cup final halftime show, which featured Madonna, the Muppets, Justin Bieber and Shakira, went viral and seemed to be well-received by viewers.
The Mirror asked readers to vote for their favorite World Cup pundit, with Rooney up against former Manchester United team-mates Gary Neville and Roy Keane, and ITV colleague Emma Hayes.
With 4,604 votes, Rooney was the clear winner, receiving 41 percent of the clicks to Keene’s 29 percent. Former Chelsea Women’s manager Hayes received 7% of the vote, with Neville in last place with 6% and 16% for everyone else.
Rooney, who reportedly signed a two-year contract worth £800,000 with the BBC in 2025, was given much of the responsibility of providing tactical analysis of matches. His candid opinions, particularly regarding Thomas Tuchel’s approach to England, resonated with the audience.
But his ease on screen with former England team-mates Joe Hart and Micah Richards shined through. And the fact that he followed through on his promise to get on the boat after losing a bet to Erling Haraand after Norway reached the quarter-finals showed his lighter side.
Mirror’s Best World Cup Pundit Poll Results (Image: Mirror)
Do you agree with the results? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
ITV’s coverage saw Keane, Neville and Ian Wright take center stage as top pundits, with Hayes used to provide detailed tactical analysis during a water break. Keane was in a typical tone, but clearly Neville’s opinion was equally unpopular.
Rooney’s victory reflected a wide range of viewing habits, with the BBC comfortably beating ITV in the ratings battle for the final between Spain and Argentina. The BBC’s average audience of 9.7 million viewers was significantly higher than ITV’s 2.4 million, as both channels aired the program on Sundays in New Jersey. The BBC’s highest height was 13.6 meters, surpassing ITV’s 3.4 meters.
BBC bosses will likely see the figures as vindication of their decision not to broadcast the majority of the tournament from the United States. While ITV moved to an impressive Brooklyn studio, the BBC anchored the bulk of its coverage from Salford.
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