Sir Kenny Dalglish's daughter part of BBC's coverage for 2026 World Cup
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The BBC has announced its 2026 World Cup line-up, which includes a number of former players among its pundits, as the BBC prepares to go head-to-head with ITVKelly Cates is the daughter of Sir Kenny Dalglish(Image: Getty Images)The BBC has unveiled its star-studded roster for this summer's World Cup, gearing up to compete with fellow UK network ITV for viewers.Ex-England stars Wayne Rooney, Alan Shearer and Micah Richards will feature among the broadcaster's punditry panel for football's premier competition. Presenting duties fall to Mark Chapman, Kelly Cates — who is the daughter of Liverpool legend Sir Kenny Dalglish — Gabby Logan and Alex Scott.Rather than being based in North America throughout, the BBC will initially broadcast programs from its "state-of-the-art immersive studio" in Salford, while ITV heads across the Atlantic far earlier.
Further punditry across BBC channels comes from former England internationals Joe Hart, Paul Robinson, Steph Houghton, Ellen White and Danny Murphy.READ MORE: Liverpool accused of being not 'happy and harmonious' after Mohamed Salah rantREAD MORE: Mohamed Salah 'making a point' with outburst as 'things not right' at LiverpoolScotland, appearing at its first World Cup since 1998, will be represented by Scott Brown, Rachel Corsie and James McFadden.Bringing an international dimension to the BBC's output, Olivier Giroud, Gael Clichy, Cesar Azpilicueta, Benni McCarthy and Lucas Leiva have signed on.Additionally, former Tottenham and Brentford boss Thomas Frank will contribute his tactical expertise, alongside former Wales skipper Ashley Williams.Wayne Rooney and Micah Richards will both be part of the BBC's coverage(Image: Getty Images)Ex-referee Darren Cann will offer analysis on major officiating calls throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico.Cann appeared during the BBC's FA Cup final broadcast on Saturday, as did Rooney, Richards and Chapman.This summer's 104-match tournament represents the BBC's first World Cup coverage since Gary Lineker's departure last year.Lineker, 65, stepped down from his position as the corporation's principal football presenter in May 2025, having initially intended to conclude his tenure at the 2026 final in New Jersey.Alex Kay-Jelski, the BBC's director of sport, said: "The BBC is turning the biggest World Cup in history into the most iconic one yet."We're bringing fans closer to every match, every moment and every story than ever before."Sport truly unites people like nothing else so we can't wait for fans to enjoy not just the live matches with us but an abundance of football content, all day, every day across our platforms."Whether it's our new series on YouTube and iPlayer, the biggest news stories on our website and app, our daily podcasts on Sounds or the viral moments on social media — we're here for audiences 24/7 this summer, taking them straight to heart of the World Cup."