UK broadcaster, ITV have unveiled their coverage plans for 2022 FIFA World Cup led by Mark Pougatch.
Pougatch is currently ITV’s lead football presenter and will host coverage of various high-profile fixtures across the tournament, including Wales and England’s Group B clashes against USA plus various knockout matches.
Laura Woods and Seema Jaswal will be alternate presenters, especially on dates when ITV have double or even triple-headers in the Group Stage.
ITV will also provide a versatile depth of punditry led by Ian Wright, Roy Keane and Gary Neville, alongside; Karen Carney, Graeme Souness, Joe Cole, Eni Aluko, Nigel De Jong, Nadia Nadim and Hal Robson-Kanu.
Peter Walton meanwhile will serve as ITV’s referee analyst as he monitors and analyses the various refereeing decisons made on pitch.
Sam Matterface will lead ITV’s commentary line-up alongside Clive Tyldesley, Jon Champion and Seb Hutchinson, albeit supported by Lee Dixon, Ally McCoist, John Hartson and Everton player – Andros Townsend.
Gabriel Clarke and Michelle Owen will provide roving reports throughout the tournament as part of ITV’s on-site coverage.
Live matches and highlights will be broadcast on ITV1 across the tournament, whilst highlights plus other content will also be made available on ITV Football’s various social media platforms – Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube to ensure fans won’t miss any of the action.
ITV Director of Sport, Niall Sloane spoke of the decision behind ITV’s on-screen line-up as evidence of how “committed” the broadcaster is to bringing “viewers the very best extensive coverage of the tournament accompanied by expert punditry and analysis.”
Across the Group Stage, ITV will broadcast 24 live matches, of which three matches will air on ITV4 due to concluding matches in each group taking place at the same time.
ITV will also have first and second pick of matches in Round of 16 plus first pick of the Quarter-Finals, along with second pick of the semi-finals and shared coverage of the Final alongside BBC.