The 16 World Cup pundits axed by ITV and BBC including Graeme Souness

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Some big names have been dropped for the 2026 World Cup. 08:01, Fri, Jun 12, 2026 Updated: 08:07, Fri, Jun 12, 2026 Graeme Souness and Rio Ferdinand will not be on UK TV at this year's World Cup (Image: ITV/BBC)The 2026 World Cup is finally underway and for fans in the UK, every match will be televised for free.

All 104 games at this year's expanded 48-team tournament in North America are free-to-air in the UK on either a BBC or ITV channel, and can also be streamed free via iPlayer or ITVX.Familiar faces will return for both broadcasters, though Gary Lineker will not front the BBC's World Cup coverage for the first time in decades. But there are some notable omissions from both broadcasters...BBCThe most famous face absent from the BBC's coverage is of course Lineker, who presented their shows at six different World Cups.

He will be attending this year's tournament as a fan, rather than as a player or pundit.Also missing are former Wales internationals Ian Rush and Danny Gabbidon after their country failed to qualify, losing their play-off semi-final on penalties to Bosnia-Herzegovina. All-time France women's great Laura Georges is another dropped from the last World Cup.ITVGraeme Souness is perhaps the biggest name missing from the ITV line-up.