List of FIFA World Cup broadcasters
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The FIFA World Cup was first broadcast on television in 1954 and is now the most widely viewed and followed sporting event in the world, exceeding even the Olympic Games.[1] 715.2 million individuals watched the final match of the 2006 tournament (representing 11 percent of the entire population of the planet). The 2006 World Cup draw, which decided the distribution of teams into groups, was watched by 300 million viewers.[2]
Asia[]
Bangladesh[]
- 2014: Sony Pictures Networks
- 1974–2018: BTV
- 1974–2018: Maasranga Television
Brunei[]
- 2006–present: Astro (all matches)
- 1998 and 2006: NTV7 (all matches)
- 1990–2002: TV3 (all matches)
- 1978–now: Radio Televisyen Brunei RTB Perdana and RTB Aneka
Cambodia[]
- 2018–present: CBS
- 2006–2014: CTN
- 1986–2002: TVK
- 1978-1982: none due to Khmer Rouge
- 1974: TVREK
- 1970: TVRK
China PR[]
- 1978–: CCTV (all matches in HD, full matches live on CCTV-1, CCTV-5 and CCTV-5+)
East Timor[]
- 2018: ETO Telco
- 2006–2014: RTTL
Hong Kong[]
- 2018: ViuTV (nineteen matches in live telecast), Now TV (all matches in live telecast)
- 2014: TVB (all matches in live telecast) (22 matches in free-to-air terrestrial television; all matches in pay television)
- 2010: ATV (four matches includes opening matches, semi-finals and finals), TVB (four matches includes opening matches, semi-finals and finals) and Cable TV Hong Kong (all matches in live telecast)
- 2006: ATV (four matches includes opening matches, semi-finals and finals), TVB (four matches includes opening matches, semi-finals and finals) and Cable TV Hong Kong (all matches in live telecast)
- 2002: ATV (four matches includes opening matches, semi-finals and finals), TVB (four matches includes opening matches, semi-finals and finals) and Cable TV Hong Kong (all matches in live telecast)
- 1990–1998: ATV and TVB (all matches in live telecast)
- 1982–1986: TVB (all matches in live telecast)
- 1974–1978: TVB and RTV (selected matches in live telecast)
- 1970: TVB (selected matches)
India[]
- 2022: Viacom18
- 2014–2018: Sony Pictures Sports Networks India
- 1994–2010: ESPN Asia, Star Sports
- 1986–present: DD Sports (Selected Matches Only)
Indonesia[]
- 2022: SCTV, INDOSIAR and O Channel (both channels broadcast all matches in live telecast and highest full matches respectively), Nex Parabola, and Indihome (both pay broadcast all matches in live telecast and highest full matches respectively)
- 2018: Trans TV (56-matches), Trans7 (16-matches), Transvision, Klix TV and Indihome (both pay broadcast all matches in live telecast and highest full matches respectively)
- 2014–present: K-Vision (all matches in live telecast and highest full matches respectively)
- 2014: antv, tvOne (both channels broadcast all matches in live telecast and highest full matches respectively), Domikado, Genflix and Indihome (both pay broadcast all matches in live telecast and highest full matches respectively)
- 2010–present: Telkomsel (all matches in live telecast and highest full matches respectively)
- 2010 and 2018: MNC Vision (all matches in live telecast and highest full matches respectively)
- 2010: RCTI (46-matches) and Global TV (20-matches) (all matches in live telecast)
- 2006: SCTV (64 matches includes 56 live telecast and 8 taped group stage matches)
- 2002: RCTI (all matches in live telecast and highest full matches respectively)
- 1998: TVRI (15-matches), RCTI (15-matches), SCTV (15-matches), TPI (14-matches), ANteve (15-matches) and Indosiar (15-matches) (all matches in live telecast and highest full matches respectively)
- 1994: TVRI (16-matches), TPI (16-matches), RCTI (12-matches) and SCTV (8-matches) (all matches in live telecast and highest full matches respectively)
- 1990: TVRI (10-matches) and RCTI (all matches in live telecast and highest full matches respectively)
- 1986: TVRI (recorded broadcast, selected delayed telecast on semifinal and final)[3]
- 1982: TVRI (colour, recorded broadcast, selected delayed telecast on opening match)[3]
- 1978: TVRI (black-and-white, recorded broadcast, selected delayed telecast on final)[3]
- 1974: TVRI (black-and-white, recorded broadcast, selected delayed telecast on final)[3]
- 1970: TVRI (black-and-white, recorded broadcast, selected delayed telecast on final)[3]
Iran[]
- 2014–present: beIN Sports
- 2010: Al-Jazeera Sport
- 2002–2006: ART Sport
- 1962–present: IRIB 3
Japan[]
- 2014-present: Japan Consortium: NHK General TV, Fuji Television, Nippon Television, Tokyo Broadcasting System Television, TV Asahi, TV Tokyo
- 2002-2010: Japan Consortium: NHK General TV, Fuji Television, Nippon Television, Tokyo Broadcasting System Television, TV Asahi, TV Tokyo; SKY PerfecTV!
- 1978-1998: NHK General TV
- 1970-1974: TV Tokyo
Kyrgyzstan[]
- 2014: NTS
- 1994–2010, 2018–present: KTRK
Laos[]
- 2014: TVLAO
- 1986–2010: LNTV
Macau[]
- 1986–present: TDM
Malaysia[]
- 2006–present: Astro (all matches in live telecast and highest full matches respectively)
- 1998: NTV7 (all matches in live telecast and highest full matches respectively)
- 1986–1998: TV3 (all matches in live telecast and highest full matches respectively)
- 1982–present: RTM TV1 and TV2 (all matches in live telecast and highest full matches respectively for 1982–2002, 47 matches for 2006,[4] 35 matches for 2010 and 2014,[5][6] and 41 matches for 2018[7])
- 1970–1978: RTM Network One and Network Two Black and White (all matches)
- 1966: Television Malaysia Black and White (all matches)
Maldives[]
- 2014–present: Sony Pictures Networks
- 1982–2014: TVM
Myanmar[]
- 2014–present: Skynet Sports (ALL MATCHES)
- 1982–present: MRTV (all matches for 1982–2010, 16 matches for 2014 and 2018[8])
Nepal[]
- 2018: Sony, Nepal Television, Kantipur Television, Action Sports
Pakistan[]
- 2018: PTV Sports and Ten Sports[ONLY 2018 TOURNAMENT]
Philippines[]
- 2022–present: TAP Sports (all matches)
- 2014–2018: ABS-CBN Sports and Action (all matches)
- 2010–2014: Balls (all matches)
- 2010: Studio 23 (all matches)
- 2006: RPN
Singapore[]
- 2022: Channel 5, Channel 8, Channel U and CNA (both channels broadcast all matches in live telecast and highest full matches respectively), meWATCH (all matches in live streaming) and Singtel TV/StarHub TV (all matches in live telecast)
- 2018: Sports on Okto (nine matches includes six group stage, semi-finals and finals), Toggle Sports (all matches in live streaming) and Singtel TV/StarHub TV (all matches in live telecast)
- 2014: Sports on Okto (four matches includes opening matches, semi-finals and finals) and Singtel TV/StarHub TV (all matches in live telecast)
- 2010: Channel 5 (four matches includes opening matches, semi-finals and finals) and Singtel TV/StarHub TV (all matches in live telecast)
- 2006: Channel 5 (four matches includes opening matches, semi-finals and finals) and StarHub Cable Vision (all matches in live telecast)
- 2002: Channel 5 (four matches includes opening matches, semi-finals and finals) and Singapore Cable Vision (all matches in live telecast)
- 1998: Premiere 12 (all matches)
- 1990–1994: Channel 12 (all matches)
- 1986: Channel 5 and Channel 12 (all matches)
- 1982: Channel 8 (opening match, delayed) and Channel 5 (semifinal and final, live)
- 1978: Channel 5 (all matches)
- 1974 Final: Channel 5 Colour
- 1966–1974: Channel 5 Black and White (all matches)
Sri Lanka[]
- 2014–present: Sony Pictures Networks
- 1986–present: SLRC
South Korea[]
- 2006, 2014–present: MBC (all matches)
- 1994–2006, 2014–present: KBS (all matches)
- 1994–present: SBS (all matches)
Taiwan[]
- 2010–2018: [9]
- 2002–2014: Era Television
Tajikistan[]
- 2018–present: Varzish TV and Futbol TV (all matches in live telecast)
- 1994–2014: TVT
Thailand[]
- 2018: Channel 5 HD, Amarin TV, True4U and True Sport (all matches in live telecast)
- 2010–2014: RS Public Company Limited (Terrestrial: Channel 3, Channel 5, Channel 7, Modernine TV, NBT (Channel 11); Satellite: RS Sunbox) (all matches in live telecast)
- 2002–2006: Dhospaak Communication Agency Company Limited; subsidiary company of Thai Beverages PCL. (Analog Terrestrial: Channel 3, Channel 5, Channel 7, Modernine TV (Channel 9), Channel 11) (all matches in live telecast)
- 1970–1998: Television Pool of Thailand (Analog Terrestrial Black and White Television: Channel 4, Channel 7; Colour: Channel 3, Channel 5 (7 in BWTV), Channel 7, Channel 9 (4 in BWTV)) (all matches in live telecast)
Uzbekistan[]
- 2018: UzReport TV and Futbol TV (all matches in live telecast)
- 1994–2014: NTRCU (all matches in live telecast)
Vietnam[]
- 1982–present: VTV
- 1994–2010 and 2018: HTV
- 2006–2010: VTC
- 1974: THVN9 (final only)
Australia[]
- 2022: SBS
- 2018: SBS and Optus Sport
- 2014: SBS
- 2010: SBS and ESPN
- 2006: SBS
- 2002: SBS (48 matches) and Nine Network (16 matches)
- 1990-1998: SBS
- 1982-1986: ABC and SBS[10]
- 1978: ABC (13 matches) and Seven Network (3 matches)[11]
- 1974: ABC and Seven Network[12]
- 1970: ABC and Seven Network
Europe[]
Albania[]
- 2006–2014: Digitalb
- 1962–2002 and 2010–present: RTSH
Andorra[]
- (see France and Spain)
Armenia[]
- 1994–present: Armenia 1
Austria[]
- 1958–present: ORF
Azerbaijan[]
- 2014–present: İTV
- 2002–2010: Lider TV
- 1994–1998, 2014–present: AzTV
Belarus[]
- 1994–present: BTRC
Belgium[]
- 1954–present: RTBF and VRT
Bosnia and Herzegovina[]
- 2002–present: BHRT
- 1998: BHT
- 1994: RTV BiH
Bulgaria[]
- 1962–present: BNT
Croatia[]
- 1994–present: HRT pol
Cyprus[]
- 1962–present: CyBC
Czech Republic[]
- 1994–present: ČT
Czechoslovakia[]
- 1954–1990: ČST
Denmark[]
- 2002–present: TV 2
- 1954–present: DR
East Germany[]
- 1974–1986: DDR-FS
- 1954–1970, 1990: DFF
Estonia[]
- 1994–present: ETV
Finland[]
- 1962–present: Yle
- 1994–1998: MTV3
France[]
- 2014–present: beIN Sports
- 2002–2006: Eurosport France
- 2006: M6
- 1994–1998, 2010: France Télévisions
- 1998, 2006–2010: Canal+
- 1978–1990: FR3
- 1978–1990: Antenne 2
- 1978–present: TF1
- 1966–1974: ORTF
- 1954–1962: RTF
Georgia[]
- 1994–present: GPB
Germany[]
- 2014–present: Sky Sport
- 2010: RTL
- 2002–2010: Premiere/Sky
- 1994–present: ARD and ZDF
Greece[]
- 2022: ANT1
- 2018: ERT
- 2014: NERIT
- 1966–2010: ERT
Hungary[]
- 2006: RTL Klub
- 1958–2002 and 2010–present: MTV
Iceland[]
- 2010: Stöð 2 Sport
- 2006: Sýn
- 1970–2002 and 2010–present: RÚV
Ireland[]
- 1962–present: RTÉ
Italy[]
- 2022: RAI
- 2018: Mediaset
- 2006–2014: Sky Sport
- 1954–2014: RAI
Kosovo[]
- 2010–present: Radio Televizioni i Kosovës
Latvia[]
- 1994–present: LTV
Liechtenstein[]
- (see Switzerland)
Lithuania[]
Luxembourg[]
- (see Belgium)
Macedonia[]
- 1994–present: MRT
Malta[]
- 2014–present: PBS
- 2010: PBS (46 matches), (all matches)
- 2006:
Moldova[]
- 1994–present: TRM
Montenegro[]
- 2010–present: RTCG
- 2006: TV In
Netherlands[]
- 1966: NTS
- 1970–present: NOS
Norway[]
- 1954–present: NRK
- 2002–present: TV 2
Poland[]
- 2010–present: TVP (all 64 matches)
- 2002–2006: TVP (12 matches in 2002, 32 matches in 2006) and Polsat Sport (all 64 matches)
- 1974–1998: TVP
- 1970: TP (final only, on a three-day tape-delay)
- 1966: TP
Portugal[]
- 2018: SIC (8 Matches Live), RTP (28 Matches Live), Sport TV (64 Matches Live), PortugalTV (56 Matches Live and 8 Delayed - Internet Only)
- 2002–present: Sport TV / PortugalTV
- 1966–present: RTP
- 2006: SIC (15 Matches Live), RTP (Highlights), Sport TV (All Matches Live and Highlights) and Portugal TV (56 Matches Live, 8 Matches Delayed - Internet Only)
Romania[]
- 1958–present: TVR
Russia[]
- 2018: Channel One, VGTRK, Match TV
- 2014: Channel One, All-Russia State Television and Radio Broadcasting Company
- 2010: Channel One (26 matches), All-Russia State Television and Radio Broadcasting Company (38 matches)
- 1998–2006: Channel One, All-Russia State Television and Radio Broadcasting Company
- 1994: Channel One Ostankino, Russia-1
SFR Yugoslavia[]
- 1958–1990: JRT
San Marino[]
- (see Italy)
Serbia[]
- 1994–present: RTS
Slovakia[]
- 2014–present: RTVS
- 1994–2010: STV
Slovenia[]
- 1994–present: RTVSLO
Spain[]
- 2018: Telecinco, Cuatro and Be Mad TV
- 2014: Telecinco, Cuatro and Gol Televisión
- 2010: Telecinco, Cuatro and Digital+
- 2006: laSexta, Cuatro and Digital+
- 2002: Antena 3 and Vía Digital
- 1962–1998: TVE
Soviet Union[]
- 1958–1990: Soviet Central Television
Sweden[]
- 2006–present: TV4
- 1982–present: SVT
- 1958–1978: SRTV
Switzerland[]
- 1954–present: SRG SSR
Turkey[]
- 2006: Kanal 1
- 1970–2002, 2010–present: TRT
Ukraine[]
- 2006: Inter, ICTV
- 1994–2002, 2010–present: NTU
United Kingdom[]
Over 100 nations have provided wall-to-wall coverage since the communications satellite launchings allowed for worldwide coverage beginning in 1966. European coverage of the World Cup has been extensive since 1954 (though with the World Cup held in Chile in 1962, much of the Euro coverage that year was tape-delayed).
Broadcasts of the qualification for the World Cup Finals for England is currently held by ITV (terrestrial, home and away matches) with Sky holding rights for home and away matches for Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. These were previously held by the BBC but BBC have highlights of each home nation in their respective nation so BBC Scotland show Scotland highlights, BBC Wales show Wales highlights and BBC Northern Ireland show NI highlights.
However, coverage of the World Cup Finals is on a government mandated 'protected' list meaning it must be shown on free-to-air terrestrial television (BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Five) as opposed to satellite or cable television.[13] Although only one broadcaster is required, the two biggest terrestrial operators, the BBC and ITV, have always made a joint bid for coverage with broadcast of the Home Nations matches (particularly England) alternating between the broadcasters up to the later stages of the tournament. This is believed to prevent an extremely expensive bidding war for coverage between the two networks, with the current agreement running until the 2022 tournament.
In addition, when matches involved Scotland or Northern Ireland the BBC or ITV franchise holder in that area (Scottish TV, Grampian, Border or Ulster / UTV) would provide their own commentary team and presenters for those games. (Wales has not qualified since 1958, when television broadcasting was more limited.[14])
| Year | Channel | Commentators | Co-Commentators | Presenters | Pundits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | BBC | Guy Mowbray Steve Wilson Jonathan Pearce Steve Bower Simon Brotherton Vicki Sparks |
Martin Keown Danny Murphy Mark Lawrenson Kevin Kilbane Jermaine Jenas |
Gary Lineker Mark Chapman Dan Walker |
Alan Shearer, Rio Ferdinand, Jürgen Klinsmann, Alex Scott, Frank Lampard, Jermaine Jenas, Phil Neville, Matt Upson, Cesc Fàbregas, Didier Drogba, and Pablo Zabaleta |
| ITV | Clive Tyldesley Sam Matterface Jon Champion Joe Speight |
Glenn Hoddle Gary Neville Lee Dixon Ally McCoist Iain Dowie |
Mark Pougatch Jacqui Oatley |
Gary Neville, Ian Wright, Lee Dixon, Roy Keane, Ryan Giggs, Patrice Evra, Slaven Bilić, Eniola Aluko, Henrik Larsson, Martin O'Neill, and Mark Clattenburg (Rules) | |
| 2014 | BBC | Guy Mowbray Steve Wilson Jonathan Pearce Simon Brotherton Steve Bower |
Mark Lawrenson Martin Keown Kevin Kilbane Phil Neville Robbie Savage |
Gary Lineker Mark Chapman Dan Walker |
Alan Hansen, Alan Shearer, Danny Murphy, Rio Ferdinand, Juninho Paulista, Chris Waddle, Brad Friedel, Neil Lennon, Clarence Seedorf, and Thierry Henry |
| ITV | Clive Tyldesley Sam Matterface Joe Speight |
Andy Townsend Clarke Carlisle Lee Dixon |
Adrian Chiles Matt Smith |
Gus Poyet, Glenn Hoddle, Martin O'Neill, Fabio Cannavaro, Andros Townsend, Lee Dixon, Ian Wright, Gordon Strachan, and Patrick Vieira | |
| 2010 | BBC | Guy Mowbray Steve Wilson Jonathan Pearce Simon Brotherton Steve Bower |
Mark Lawrenson Mark Bright Mick McCarthy Martin Keown |
Gary Lineker Colin Murray |
Alan Hansen, Alan Shearer, Lee Dixon, Jürgen Klinsmann, Clarence Seedorf, Roy Hodgson, Emmanuel Adebayor, Gordon Strachan, and Harry Redknapp |
| ITV | Clive Tyldesley Peter Drury Jon Champion Ian Crocker |
Andy Townsend Jim Beglin Craig Burley Chris Coleman |
Adrian Chiles Matt Smith |
Andy Townsend, Robbie Earle, Gareth Southgate, Lucas Radebe, Francois Pienaar, Marcel Desailly, Edgar Davids, Kevin Keegan, and Patrick Vieira | |
| 2006 | BBC | John Motson Steve Wilson Simon Brotherton Jonathan Pearce Guy Mowbray |
Mark Lawrenson Mick McCarthy Gavin Peacock Mark Bright |
Gary Lineker Ray Stubbs Adrian Chiles Manish Bhasin |
Alan Hansen, Ian Wright, Lee Dixon, Alan Shearer, Martin O'Neill, Marcel Desailly, Leonardo Araújo, and Gordon Strachan |
| ITV | Clive Tyldesley Peter Drury Jon Champion Peter Brackley |
Andy Townsend Jim Beglin Gareth Southgate Clive Allen |
Steve Rider Jim Rosenthal Matt Smith Gabby Logan |
Ally McCoist, Gareth Southgate, Terry Venables, Ruud Gullit, David Pleat, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, Jay-Jay Okocha, Sam Allardyce, Alan Curbishley, and Stuart Pearce | |
| 2002 | BBC | John Motson Barry Davies Tony Gubba Steve Wilson Rob Maclean |
Trevor Brooking Joe Royle Trevor Steven Efan Ekoku |
Gary Lineker Ray Stubbs |
Alan Hansen, Mark Lawrenson, Peter Schmeichel, Jamie Redknapp, Ian Wright, Martin O'Neill, David O'Leary, and Peter Reid |
| ITV | Clive Tyldesley Peter Drury Jon Champion Peter Brackley Guy Mowbray |
Ron Atkinson Graham Taylor David Pleat Jim Beglin Paul Elliott |
Des Lynam Gabby Logan Jim Rosenthal Matt Smith Bob Wilson |
Paul Gascoigne, Gary Neville, Terry Venables, Bobby Robson, Clive Allen, John Barnes, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, Andy Townsend, Ally McCoist, Robbie Earle, and Barry Venison | |
| 1998 | BBC | John Motson Barry Davies Tony Gubba Jon Champion Ron Jones John Murray Rob Maclean (Scotland) |
Trevor Brooking David Pleat Chris Waddle |
Des Lynam Gary Lineker |
Alan Hansen, Mark Lawrenson, Jimmy Hill, David Ginola, Martin O'Neill, and Robbie Williams |
| ITV | Brian Moore Clive Tyldesley Peter Drury Peter Brackley Garry McNee (Scotland) |
Kevin Keegan Ron Atkinson Ian St John |
Bob Wilson Jim Rosenthal |
Alex Ferguson, Terry Venables, Barry Venison, John Barnes, Ruud Gullit, Ian Wright, David Baddiel and Frank Skinner | |
| 1994 | BBC | John Motson Barry Davies Tony Gubba Gerald Sinstadt Clive Tyldesley |
Trevor Brooking Liam Brady John Fashanu Chris Waddle |
Des Lynam Bob Wilson |
Jimmy Hill, Alan Hansen, Terry Venables, Gary Lineker, David O'Leary, Steve Coppell, David Baddiel, and Frank Skinner |
| ITV | Brian Moore Alan Parry Peter Brackley John Helm Rob Palmer |
Ron Atkinson Kevin Keegan Trevor Francis |
Matthew Lorenzo Tony Francis |
Denis Law, Ray Wilkins, Don Howe, and Jack Charlton | |
| 1990 | BBC | John Motson Barry Davies Tony Gubba Gerald Sinstadt Archie Macpherson (Scotland) |
Bobby Charlton Trevor Brooking Liam Brady Gerald Sinstadt |
Des Lynam Bob Wilson |
Jimmy Hill and Kenny Dalglish |
| ITV | Brian Moore Alan Parry John Helm Gerry Harrison Clive Tyldesley Jock Brown (Scotland) |
Ron Atkinson Ian St John Trevor Francis Billy McNeill |
Nick Owen Elton Welsby |
Jimmy Greaves, Graham Taylor, Bobby Moore, Charlie Ntamark, Rodney Marsh, Emlyn Hughes, and Ossie Ardiles | |
| 1986 | BBC | John Motson Barry Davies Tony Gubba Gerald Sinstadt Archie MacPherson David Icke |
Jimmy Hill Trevor Brooking Bobby Charlton |
Des Lynam Bob Wilson |
Terry Venables, Lawrie McMenemy, Emlyn Hughes, Andy Gray, Martin O'Neill, and Alan Mullery |
| ITV | Brian Moore Martin Tyler John Helm Peter Brackley Gerry Harrison Jock Brown (Scotland) |
Ron Atkinson David Pleat Billy McNeill |
Brian Moore | Brian Clough, Mick Channon, Bryan Hamilton, Ian St John, Kevin Keegan, and Jimmy Greaves | |
| 1982 | BBC | John Motson Barry Davies Tony Gubba Alan Parry Des Lynam Archie Macpherson |
Bobby Charlton Bobby Robson |
David Coleman Jimmy Hill |
Billy McNeill, Lawrie McMenemy, Bobby Charlton, Bobby Robson, Lou Macari, Garth Crooks |
| ITV | Martin Tyler Hugh Johns Gerry Harrison Gerald Sinstadt John Helm Nick Owen Jock Brown (Scotland) |
Ron Atkinson Jack Charlton Brian Clough Denis Law Ian St John |
Brian Moore | John Bond, Jimmy Greaves, George Best, Mick Channon | |
| 1978 | BBC | David Coleman Barry Davies John Motson Alan Weeks Archie Macpherson (Scotland) |
Frank Bough | Jimmy Hill, Jock Stein, Lawrie McMenemy, Bobby Charlton, Denis Law, John Bond, Trevor Brooking, Bob Wilson, Alan Ball, Jack Taylor, Billy Bremner, Tommy Docherty | |
| ITV | Hugh Johns Gerry Harrison Gerald Sinstadt Martin Tyler Arthur Montford (Scotland) |
Jack Charlton Ian St John Joe Harper (Scotland) |
Brian Moore | Kevin Keegan, Pat Crerand, Brian Clough, Andy Gray, Johan Cryuff, Emlyn Hughes, Peter Taylor | |
| 1974 | BBC | David Coleman Alan Weeks Barry Davies John Motson Archie Macpherson (Scotland) |
Frank Bough | Jimmy Hill, Jock Stein, Bill Shankly, Bobby Charlton, Lawrie McMenemy, Frank McLintock | |
| ITV | Hugh Johns Keith Macklin Gerry Harrison Gerald Sinstadt Arthur Montford (Scotland) |
Alf Ramsey | Brian Moore | Derek Dougan, Bobby Moncur, Pat Crerand, Malcolm Allison, Jack Charlton, Brian Clough | |
| 1970 | BBC | David Coleman Alan Weeks Kenneth Wolstenholme Barry Davies Idwal Robling |
Frank Bough | Joe Mercer, Don Revie, Brian Clough, Noel Cantwell, Ian St John, Ray Wilson, Bob Wilson, Johnny Haynes, Walley Barnes, Jim Finney | |
| ITV | Hugh Johns Gerry Harrison Gerald Sinstadt Roger Malone |
Bobby Moore Billy Wright |
Brian Moore Jimmy Hill |
Derek Dougan, Pat Crerand, Malcolm Allison, Bob McNab | |
| 1966 | BBC | Kenneth Wolstenholme David Coleman Frank Bough Walley Barnes Alan Weeks |
David Coleman | Johnny Haynes, Danny Blanchflower, Tommy Docherty, Jimmy Hill, Arthur Ellis, Joe Mercer, Billy Wright | |
| ITV | Hugh Johns Barry Davies Gerry Loftus John Camkin |
Notes[]
- In the 2006 World Cup, ITV showed two of England's three group games, with the BBC showing one. However, the BBC would then have shown England through to the final, had they made it; this would have been on an exclusive basis for the round of 16 and the quarter finals (the latter being the round where England were actually eliminated), with coverage of the semi-final and final being shared with ITV.[15] The same method was used for the 2010 World Cup, where ITV showed the first two England games, and the BBC would have shown the next two, with England's semi final shared on both channels and the Final as well, but with England eliminated in the second round, the BBC instead had the first choice of the two quarter finals, and ITV the choice of a semi final and the third place match, with both channels showing the Final.
- For the 2014 World Cup the BBC showed England's first match against Italy with ITV showing the other 2 matches against Uruguay and Costa Rica. BBC had first choice for the 2nd round while ITV had first choice quarter final so if England got to the Quarters, which they didn't, the match would have been exclusively live on ITV.
- For the 2018 World Cup the BBC showed England's first 2 games against Tunisia and Panama respectively with ITV showing the one remaining group stage match against Belgium. The BBC carried the quarterfinal with Sweden. ITV aired the semi-final against Croatia and the third-place play-off with Belgium.
- ITV have had several sponsors over the years. For the 1990 World Cup, in one of the first sponsorship deals in British TV history, coverage was sponsored by National Power. Coverage of the 1994 World Cup was sponsored by electronics company Panasonic, whilst car company Vauxhall sponsored the 1998 World Cup. This was the first year actual idents were shown, as opposed to just the company logo, and featured comical exchanges between players dubbed over in suitable accents. Travelex sponsored their coverage of the 2002 World Cup, and would also go on to sponsor their coverage of the 2003 Rugby World Cup. For the 2006 World Cup, there were two sponsors for the first time – Budweiser and EDF Energy. The latter would, like Travelex, go on to sponsor the 2007 Rugby World Cup along with Peugeot. In 2010, Hyundai and Lucozade Sport were the sponsors, with Hyundai having a Car World Cup tournament, which was eventually won by Spain. The former's stings were narrated by Peter Brackley. The 2014 World Cup had three sponsors for the first time, Sony, Carling and Santander. Carling would have a brief spell of sponsoring England matches on ITV, replacing Continental Tyres before being replaced by Screwfix. 2018 also had three, with Budweiser, adopting their international campaign, Volkswagen, with a series of idents about a confident man getting 'England Champions 2018' tattooed onto him, and Screwfix, sponsors of England's Qualifiers and Friendlies, with puns on famous England players performed by customers.
West Germany[]
- 1966–1990: ZDF
- 1954–1986: DF
Africa[]
Middle East and North Africa[]
- 2014–present: beIN Sports
- 2010: Al-Jazeera Sport
- 2002–2006: ART Sport
Whole of Africa[]
- 2018: Kwesé Sports
Algeria[]
- 2014–present: EPTV
- 1986–1998: ENTV
- 1966–1982: RTA
Burundi[]
- 1986–present: RTNB
Egypt[]
- 1974–2002: ERTU
- 2014–present: beIN Sports
Ghana[]
- 1974–present: GTV
- 2018: Startimes
Libya[]
- 1970–1998: LJBC
Mali[]
- 1986–present: ORTM
Morocco[]
- 1962–1998: SNRT
- 1958: RTM
Namibia[]
- 1994–present: NBC
Niger[]
- 1970–present: ORTN
Senegal[]
- 1966–present: RTS1
South Africa[]
- 2002–present: SuperSport
- 2002: e.tv
- 1978–1998 and 2006–present: SABC
Togo[]
- 1974–present: TVT
Tunisia[]
- 1990–1998: ERTT
- 1970–1986: RTT
North America[]
United States[]
English-language television[]
Finals[]
| Year | Network | Play-by-play | Color commentator(s) | Studio host(s) | Studio analyst(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Fox | ||||
| 2022 | |||||
| 2018 | John Strong | Stuart Holden | Rob Stone and Kate Abdo | Alexi Lalas, Kelly Smith, Clarence Seedorf, and Guus Hiddink | |
| 2014 | ABC | Ian Darke | Steve McManaman | Mike Tirico and Bob Ley | Alexi Lalas, Santiago Solari, Michael Ballack, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Gilberto Silva, Alejandro Moreno, Taylor Twellman, and Kasey Keller |
| 2010 | Martin Tyler | Efan Ekoku | Chris Fowler and Bob Ley | Alexi Lalas, Steve McManaman, and Ruud Gullit | |
| 2006 | Dave O'Brien | Marcelo Balboa | Brent Musburger | Eric Wynalda and Julie Foudy | |
| 2002 | Jack Edwards | Ty Keough | Terry Gannon | Eric Wynalda and Giorgio Chinaglia | |
| 1998 | Bob Ley | Seamus Malin | Brent Musburger | Eric Wynalda | |
| 1994 | Roger Twibell | Seamus Malin and Rick Davis | Jim McKay | Desmond Armstrong | |
| 1990 | TNT | Bob Neal | Mick Luckhurst | Ernie Johnson | Rick Davis |
| 1986 | NBC | Charlie Jones | Rick Davis and Paul Gardner | Don Criqui | Seamus Malin |
| 1982 | ABC | Jim McKay | Mario Machado and Paul Gardner | Jack Whitaker | Giorgio Chinaglia |
| 1974 | CBS (used BBC's feed) | David Coleman | |||
| 1970 | ABC | Jim McKay | |||
| 1966 | NBC | Jim Simpson |
Notes[]
- The first American coverage of the World Cup consisted only of a previously filmed telecast of the 1966 Final on NBC. The Final was aired before their coverage of the Saturday Major League Baseball Game of the Week. NBC used the black & white BBC feed and aired it on a two-hour film delay. This was the first time soccer had been shown in the United States as a stand-alone broadcast. Previously, ABC's Wide World of Sports had shown England's Football Association Cup on as long as a two-week delay.
- 1970's coverage was usually week-old filmed highlights shown on ABC's Wide World of Sports.
- 1974's coverage also contained week-old filmed highlights on CBS Sports Spectacular.
- 1978 had no English language coverage on American television at all.
Other rounds[]
| Year | Network | Play-by-play | Color commentator(s) | Reporters | Studio hosts | Studio analysts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Fox FS1 |
|||||
| 2022 | ||||||
| 2018 | John Strong JP Dellacamera Derek Rae Glenn Davis Mark Followill |
Stuart Holden Tony Meola Aly Wagner Cobi Jones Warren Barton Mariano Trujillo |
Geoff Shreeves Rachel Bonnetta (Digital) Sergey Gordeev (National Geographic) Maria Komandnaya Rodolfo Landeros Jenny Taft Grant Wahl (at-large) |
Rob Stone Kate Abdo Ian Joy |
Alexi Lalas, Hernan Crespo, Clarence Seedorf, Moisés Muñoz, Fernando Fiore, Martin O'Neill, Guus Hiddink, Kelly Smith, Ian Wright, and Dr. Joe Machnik (rules analyst) | |
| 2014 | ESPN ESPN2 ABC |
Ian Darke Jon Champion Derek Rae Adrian Healey Fernando Palomo |
Steve McManaman Taylor Twellman Stewart Robson Efan Ekoku Kasey Keller Alejandro Moreno Roberto Martínez Craig Burley |
Jeremy Schaap Julie Foudy John Sutcliffe Bob Woodruff |
Mike Tirico Bob Ley Lynsey Hipgrave |
Alexi Lalas, Steve McManaman, Michael Ballack, Alejandro Moreno, Kasey Keller, Gilberto Silva, Santiago Solari, Roberto Martínez, Taylor Twellman, and Ruud van Nistelrooy |
| 2010 | Martin Tyler Ian Darke Derek Rae Adrian Healey Jim Proudfoot |
Efan Ekoku John Harkes Robbie Mustoe Ally McCoist Roberto Martínez |
Jeremy Schaap Julie Foudy Darrell Currie Allen Hopkins Rob Stone Selema Masekela ESPN International: Andrew Orsatti (Australia) John Sutcliffe (Mexico) Dan Williams (South Africa) |
Chris Fowler Mike Tirico Bob Ley |
Alexi Lalas, Jürgen Klinsmann, Ruud Gullit, Steve McManaman, Shaun Bartlett, Tommy Smyth, and Roberto Martínez | |
| 2006 | Dave O'Brien JP Dellacamera Rob Stone Glenn Davis Adrian Healey |
Marcelo Balboa John Harkes Robin Fraser Shep Messing Tommy Smyth |
Brent Musburger Rece Davis Dave Revsine |
Alexi Lalas, Eric Wynalda, Giorgio Chinaglia, Julie Foudy, and Heather Mitts | ||
| 2002 | Jack Edwards JP Dellacamera Mike Hill Glenn Davis |
Ty Keough Tommy Smyth Seamus Malin Shep Messing |
Lisa Salters |
Terry Gannon Rob Stone |
Eric Wynalda and Giorgio Chinaglia | |
| 1998 | Bob Ley Roger Twibell JP Dellacamera Derek Rae Phil Schoen |
Seamus Malin Mike Hill Bill McDermott Ty Keough Tommy Smyth |
Brent Musburger | Eric Wynalda | ||
| 1994 | Roger Twibell Al Trautwig Bob Carpenter Bob Ley Ian Darke Randy Hahn Jim Donovan |
Seamus Malin Rick Davis Clive Charles Ty Keough Peter Vermes Ron Newman Bill McDermott |
Jim McKay (ABC only) | Desmond Armstrong (ABC only) and Alexi Lalas (quarterfinals) | ||
| 1990 | TNT | Bob Neal JP Dellacamera Randy Hahn |
Mick Luckhurst Rick Davis Ty Keough |
Craig Sager Paul Ryden |
Ernie Johnson | |
| 1986 | NBC | Charlie Jones | Rick Davis and Paul Gardner | Don Criqui | Seamus Malin | |
| ESPN | JP Dellacamera | Seamus Malin and Shep Messing | ||||
| 1982 | PBS | Toby Charles | ||||
| ESPN | Bob Ley | Seamus Malin |
Notes[]
- In 1982, PBS and ESPN provided the first thorough American television coverage of the FIFA World Cup. ABC aired the first live telecast of the final. ABC aired commercials during the live action. Meanwhile, PBS aired same day highlights of the top game of the day.
- 1986 marked the first time that the World Cup had extensive live cable and network television coverage in the United States. ESPN carried most of the weekday matches while NBC did weekend games. To be more specific, NBC aired seven matches, including the "Hand of God" quarterfinal, with broadcasters on-site. NBC's theme music for their 1986 coverage was Herb Alpert's "1980", from his 1979 album Rise. It was originally a cue meant for the ill-fated 1980 Moscow Summer Olympics broadcasts. Meanwhile, ESPN aired about 25 matches that year, all with broadcasters in studio.
- In 1990, the World Cup was covered exclusively by cable television on TNT in the United States and had many features about the host country, Italy.
- The 1994 American coverage had many firsts: The first with all of the matches televised, the first with no commercial interruptions during live action, and the first to feature an on-screen score & time box.
- In 1998, all of the matches were televised in the United States live for the first time.
- The 2002 American coverage had 59 matches live, and 5 rebroadcasts on ABC, with coverage from Japan and South Korea carried live in the American late night graveyard slot.
- The 2006 coverage from Germany was fully live as well.
- Dave O'Brien joined Marcelo Balboa on the primary broadcast team for the 2006 FIFA World Cup coverage on ESPN and ABC Sports, despite having no experience calling soccer matches prior to that year. Because The Walt Disney Company, owner of both television outlets, retained control over on-air talent, the appointment of O'Brien as the main play-by-play voice was made over the objections of Soccer United Marketing, who wanted JP Dellacamera to continue in that role. Disney stated that their broadcast strategy was intended, in voice and style, to target the vast majority of Americans who do not follow the sport on a regular basis. Mispronunciation and incorrect addressing of names, misuse of soccer terminology, and lack of insight into tactics and history plagued the telecasts, resulting in heavy criticism from English-speaking soccer fans, many of whom ended up watching the games on Univision instead.[16][17]
- The 2010 coverage from South Africa introduced ESPN 3D for 25 matches.
- The 2014 coverage was available on mobile devices and tablets via the WatchESPN application, as well as on Xbox 360 and Xbox One video game consoles, live and on-demand, via the ESPN on Xbox Live application.
- Starting in 2018, coverage is available on connected TVs, mobile devices and tablets via the Fox Sports App.
Spanish-language television[]
| Year | Network | Play-by-play | Color commentator(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Telemundo Universo NBCSN (simulcast for select games in 2018 ONLY) |
||
| 2022 | Andrés Cantor Marion Reimers |
Manuel Sol Carlos Hermosillo Tab Ramos | |
| 2018 | Andrés Cantor Erasmo Provenza |
Manuel Sol Carlos Hermosillo Tab Ramos Claudio Borghi Juan Pablo Ángel Juan Pablo Sorín Diego Forlán Viviana Vila Teófilo Cubillas Jesús Ramírez Rolando Fonseca Horacio Elizondo (rules analyst) | |
| 2014 | Galavisión UniMás (Telefutura; 2002–2014) Univision UDN (now TUDN; 2014 only) |
Pablo Ramirez Jorge Pérez-Navarro Luis Omar Tapia Enrique Bermudez de la Serna José Luis López Salido Edgar Martinez |
Jesus Bracamontes Diego Balado Félix Fernández Mauro Camoranesi Marcelo Balboa Carlos Pavón Ramón Ramírez Hristo Stoichkov |
| 2010 | Pablo Ramirez Jorge Pérez-Navarro Jorge Ottati |
Jesus Bracamontes José Luis Chilavert Diego Balado | |
| 2006 | Pablo Ramirez Jorge Pérez-Navarro Bruno Vain |
Jesus Bracamontes José Luis Chilavert Enrique Borja | |
| 2002 | Pablo Ramirez Jorge Pérez-Navarro Luis Omar Tapia |
Jesus Bracamontes Carlos Reinoso | |
| 1998 | Andrés Cantor | Norberto Longo | |
| 1994 | Andrés Cantor | Norberto Longo | |
| 1990 | Andrés Cantor | Norberto Longo | |
| 1986 | SIN | Tony Tirado | Norberto Longo and Jorge Berry |
| 1982 | SIN (used Televisa's (Mexico) feed) | Gerardo Pena | |
| 1978 | Tony Tirado | Enrique Gratas | |
| 1974 | Tony Tirado | ||
| 1970 | Tony Tirado |
Notes[]
- From 2002 to 2010, José Luis Chilavert joined Pablo Ramirez and Jesus Bracamontes on the booth during the Univision broadcast of the FIFA World Cup Final match.
- Starting in 2018, coverage will be available on connected TVs, mobile devices and tablets via NBC Sports and Telemundo Deportes' En Vivo apps respectively, and on home devices and video game consoles such as the Xbox One, PS4, and Roku via the Fox Sports app and Fox Sports Go.
Central America[]
Costa Rica[]
- 2022: Teletica Canal 7 and TD Más
- 2018: Teletica Canal 7 and TD Más
- 2014: Repretel (4, 6, 11) and Teletica (Teletica Canal 7, XPERTV)
- 2010: Repretel (4, 6, 11) and Teletica (Teletica Canal 7, XPERTV)
- 2006: Repretel (4, 6, 11)
- 2002: Repretel (4, 6, 11)
- 1998: Repretel (6, 9, 11), Teletica Canal 7 and Canal 2 (Univisión de Costa Rica)
- 1994: Teletica Canal 7, Telecentro Canal 6 and Canal 2 (Univisión de Costa Rica)
- 1990: Teletica Canal 7, Telecentro Canal 6 and Canal 2 (Univisión de Costa Rica)
- 1986: Teletica Canal 7, Telecentro Canal 6 and Canal 2 (Univisión de Costa Rica)
- 1982: Teletica Canal 7 and Telecentro Canal 6
- 1978: Teletica Canal 7 and Telecentro Canal 6
- 1974: Teletica Canal 7 and Telecentro Canal 6
- 1970: Canal 2 (Telenac Canal 2)
- 1966: Teletica Canal 7 and Telecentro Canal 6 (Deferred all games in both channels)
El Salvador[]
- 1986–present: Telecorporación Salvadoreña (Canal 4)
- 1982: Canal 2
Guatemala[]
- 2018-present:
- 1994–2014: Canal 3, , , Trecevisión
- 1970–1990: Canal 3,
Honduras[]
- 2014:
- 1998–present: Televicentro (, , )
- 1970–1994:
Nicaragua[]
- 1998–present: Canal 10
- 1982–present: Canal 2
Panama[]
- 2014–present: Telemetro,
- 2002–present: TVMax
- 1966–present: RPC, TVN
Dominican Republic[]
| Country | Language | Edition | Broadcasters |
|---|---|---|---|
 Dominican Republic
|
Spanish | 1982 | Rahintel |
| 1986 | Color Visión | ||
| 1990 | Color Visión, RTVD | ||
| 1994 | Telesistema 11 | ||
| 1998 | Telesistema 11 | ||
| 2002 | Telemicro, Digital 15 | ||
| 2006 | CDN 37 | ||
| 2010 | Telecentro, RNN 27 | ||
| 2014 | Telemicro, Digital 15 | ||
| 2018 | Antena 7, Antena 21 |
South America[]
See also[]
- By year:
- 1994 FIFA World Cup broadcasting rights
- 1998 FIFA World Cup broadcasting rights
- 2002 FIFA World Cup broadcasting rights
- 2006 FIFA World Cup broadcasting rights
- 2010 FIFA World Cup broadcasting rights
- 2014 FIFA World Cup broadcasting rights
- 2018 FIFA World Cup broadcasting rights
- By country:
- Sports broadcasting contracts in Canada
- Sports broadcasting contracts in France
- Sports broadcasting contracts in Latin America
- Sports broadcasting contracts in Spain
- Sports broadcasting contracts in the United Kingdom
- Sports broadcasting contracts in Italy
- Sports broadcasting contracts in Germany
- Sports broadcasting contracts in the United States
References[]
- ^ "Facts and figures – FIFA World Cup™". Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 27 May 2015. Archived from the original on 18 October 2013. Retrieved 27 May 2015.
- ^ Socceroos face major challenge: Hiddink, ABC Sport, 10 December 2005. Retrieved 13 May 2006.
- ^ a b c d e "Menonton Piala Dunia di Zaman Orba di Layar TVRI". Tirto.id. Retrieved 26 March 2019.
- ^ "World Cup matches on RTM's TV1 and TV2 – Nation | The Star Online". www.thestar.com.my. Retrieved 29 October 2018.
- ^ "Sorakan untuk RTM – Hak penyiaran perlawanan Piala Dunia 2010 ". Kosmo Online. Retrieved 29 October 2018.
- ^ "Piala Dunia 2014: RTM dapat hak siaran eksklusif". Utusan Online. Retrieved 29 October 2018.
- ^ AMIN, NUR AISHAH MOHD. "RTM bakal siar 41 perlawanan bola sepak Piala Dunia 2018". Kosmo Online. Retrieved 29 October 2018.
- ^ "Welcome To Golden Myanmar". www.shwemyanmar.info. Retrieved 29 October 2018.
- ^ News, Taiwan (19 June 2018). "How to watch the World Cup in Taiwan | Taiwan News". Taiwan News. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
- ^ "The ABC's World Cup". The Sydney Morning Herald. 14 June 1982. Retrieved 7 April 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Argentina after midnight". The Age. 1 June 1978. Retrieved 7 April 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "All the thrills of World Cup soccer". The Sydney Morning Herald. 16 June 1974. Retrieved 7 April 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Free-to-air TV sport reconsidered". BBC News. 26 September 2008.
- ^ Tyers, Simon (7 July 2014). "How World Cup TV coverage has changed since the 1950s". The Guardian. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
- ^ "BBC – Press Office – BBC and ITV agree plans for World Cup 2006 coverage". www.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 17 August 2018.
- ^ Fatsis, Stefan (5 July 2006). "Fans Say ESPN's World Cup Coverage Deserves Penalty". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 10 December 2019.
- ^ "Sports Media Watch: Decade in Review: 10 worst personnel moves". sportsmediawatch.blogspot.com. Retrieved 17 August 2018.
Sources[]
Categories:
- FIFA World Cup-related lists
- Association football on television
- Lists of association football broadcasters
- FIFA World Cup broadcasting rights
- ABC Sports
- BBC Sport
- CBC Sports
- CBS Sports
- Telemundo Deportes
- ESPN announcers
- ESPN2
- Fox Sports
- Fox Sports 1
- ITV Sport
- NBC Sports
- SBS Sport
- The Sports Network
- Sportsnet
- Turner Sports
- Xbox Live
- CBS Sports Spectacular
- Nine's Wide World of Sport
- Wide World of Sports (American TV series)
- Lists of sporting event broadcasters