ITV's World Cup 2026 Coverage Sparks Viewer Backlash Over Pundit Choice

The 2026 FIFA World Cup, kicking off in North America, began with considerable fanfare at Mexico City's historic Azteca Stadium. However, for UK viewers tuning into ITV's coverage of the opening ceremony and the inaugural match between co-hosts Mexico and South Africa, the excitement was quickly overshadowed by criticism aimed at the broadcaster's pundit lineup.

Mexico secured a 2-0 victory over South Africa, with goals from Julian Quinones and Raul Jimenez, in a dramatic encounter that also saw three players – Yaya Sithole, Themba Zwane, and Cesar Montes – receive red cards. While the on-field action provided plenty to discuss, viewers' attention was drawn to a new face in ITV's studio. Alongside established analysts like Gary Neville, Ian Wright, and Roy Keane, former Man v Food host Adam Richman was introduced as part of the coverage.

Richman's segment, seemingly a new twist for the tournament, did not resonate with the audience. Social media platforms, particularly X (formerly Twitter), quickly filled with comments from disgruntled fans expressing their dissatisfaction. Many called for the immediate removal of the segment and the pundit, describing the addition as 'cringe' and 'awful,' indicating a strong desire for a reshuffle in ITV's broadcast team early in the tournament.