“THIS IS EMBARRASSING… AND VIEWERS CAN SEE RIGHT THROUGH IT.” The BBC is under fierce fire after confirming its so-called “work from home” World Cup coverage — with not a single pundit sent to the US until the quarter-finals, abandoning the first 96 matches as Wayne Rooney and the rest of the team remain stranded in Salford to “cut costs and carbon.” Furious fans accused the broadcaster of penny-pinching dressed up as principle, raging that a tournament meant to feel global now feels “small, distant, and second-rate,” while insiders admit morale behind the scenes is low. “This is the biggest football show on Earth — and they’re covering it like a Zoom meeting,” one critic snapped, as trust in the BBC’s commitment to the sport takes another bruising hit.
The BBC is not planning to send television pundits to North America for the World Cup until the quarter-final stage, Daily Mail Sport understands.
It can also be disclosed that the broadcaster – unlike ITV – does not intend to have its own studio at the tournament, in a move that has emboldened their rivals and may well cost them the services of some of football’s most high-profile names.
Many games will be covered remotely from the BBC’s Salford base, with the likes of Wayne Rooney due to provide colour on matches being played thousands of miles away.
While TV pundits will remain at Salford until the latter stages, commentators will be in the US for matches involving home nations and high-profile games. Commentary from other matches will be provided from the Corporation’s MediaCity base.
The BBC declined to comment other than to say that World Cup plans are yet to be finalised. Sources believe the quarter-finals are the plan, although some have raised the prospect of no travelling TV pundits until the semi-finals.
The cost of covering the tournament across three countries, and one which features 48 nations instead of 32, was thought to have been deemed unpalatable.
The BBC are not planning to send their team of pundits, including Wayne Rooney, to the World Cup until at least the quarter-finals
The BBC’s handout picture of pundits and presenters for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. In 2026 they will largely be staying at home
While the expense is the main factor behind the decision, it is understood that the BBC’s carbon footprint in covering the tournament was also a consideration.
ITV will not follow suit and while there has been no official announcement yet, sources have disclosed they will have a studio in New York, which hosts the final and seven other matches.
Delighted insiders at the rival believe the move, which will be the first time in the BBC’s history, will make ITV the nation’s choice for the competition, which is being held in the US, Canada and Mexico.
Some may even question whether the BBC’s profiting of the competition’s ‘crown jewel’ status, set by the Government to ensure major events are on free-to-air television, should be reviewed in the wake of the plans.
‘If the BBC isn’t going to give it the respect it deserves then why not take it off them and give it to someone who will?’ said one industry insider.
Clive Efford MP, the former shadow minister for sport, lambasted the prospect.
‘If the BBC are not there for the entirety of the tournament I will be shocked,’ he said.
‘It’s an obvious decision. This is our national sport followed by millions of people and this is a World Cup. The BBC should recognise that.
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‘It’s a question of priorities and it looks like they’re getting them completely wrong. I’m stunned that they would even think about not being there.’
Shadow culture, media and sport secretary Nigel Huddleston said: ‘The public requires the BBC to spend their licence fee money carefully, but we also expect them to rise to the occasion when it comes to coverage of major events.
‘With Scotland and England already qualifying and hopes still alive for Wales and Northern Ireland, there is excitement across the UK for the World Cup. I therefore hope that the nation’s broadcaster can provide a comprehensive package of coverage which meets the expectations of football fans around the country.’
Chair of the culture, media and sport committee, Dame Caroline Dinenage, suggested that the BBC’s decision not to deploy pundits during the tournament’s early stages may be a reaction to criticism received for sending 500 employees sent to this summer’s Glastonbury Festival.
‘I can’t imagine the pundits are best pleased but it is a much larger tournament this time, so a lot of extra games to travel to,’ she told the Daily Mail.
‘Presumably there’s an argument balancing value for money and quality of content, particularly [following] the criticism over the number of staff at Glastonbury this summer.’
The BBC have been contacted for comment.
