33 matches will be shown on BBC TV and iPlayer
The BBC has revealed its broadcast plans for the World Cup, with 33 matches to be shown live by the broadcaster.
The full TV schedule for the group stage can be found here, with there also audio coverage of all 64 games through BBC Radio Five Live and the BBC Sounds app. The BBC will also have first pick of the semi-finals of the tournament, along with three round of 16 games, two quarter-finals, and the World Cup Final on December 18.
Highlights of non-live games and selected replayed matches will be available on BBC One and BBC iPlayer throughout the tournament. The majority of games will be available in UHD HDR, and the BBC Sport YouTube channel will also have highlights.
The BBC Sport website will provide coverage around all matches, as well as possibilities to interact with shareable team selections and ratings.
Gary Lineker and Broadcast Sport Presenter of the Year Gabby Logan will lead the BBC’s TV coverage, joined by ex-England stars Alan Shearer, Rio Ferdinand, Jermaine Jenas, Micah Richards, and Alex Scott with Danny Gabbidon, Ian Rush and Ashley Williams representing Wales. From further afield, Vincent Kompany, Didier Drogba, Laura Georges, Jürgen Klinsmann, Mark Schwarzer, Gilberto Silva and Pablo Zabaleta will also be give their insights.
The team of commentators consists of Guy Mowbray, Steve Wilson, Jonathan Pearce, Steve Bower, Robyn Cowen, Alistair Bruce Ball, Simon Davies, Ian Dennis, Pien Meulensteen, Conor McNamara, John Murray, Mark Scott and Vicki Sparks, who will be joined by co-commentators Karen Bardsley, James Collins, Dion Dublin, Maz Farookhi, Danny Gabbidon, Jermaine Jenas, Martin Keown, Jayne Ludlow, Clinton Morrison, Danny Murphy, Robbie Savage, Peter Schmeichel and Stephen Warnock.
Kelly Somers and Emma Saunders will report on the latest news from inside the England camp for TV news and 5 Live, while Catrin Heledd will report on Wales.
Around the live games, there will also be news coverage, and documentaries and podcasts. Pundits will also provide behind-the-scenes coverage on Instagram and TikTok - with vertical highlights also on those platforms.
Two documentaries will be shown in the build-up to the competition, including Messi, which is currently available on iPlayer and will air on BBC1 on Saturday 19th November at 22:55. It aims to show the real Lionel Messi through archive footage of him as a child prodigy and interviews with the likes of Pablo Zabaleta, Javier Mascherano, Hernan Crespo and Rio Ferdinand.
Meanwhile, How To Win The World Cup will be on iPlayer from 4 November and BBC1 at 22.30 on 20 November, going into the dressing room to hear incredible tales from the past three World Cup-winning teams, France (2018), Germany (2014) and Spain (2010). Tournament winners including Germany’s Manuel Neuer, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Per Mertesacker and Jurgen Klinsmann, Spain’s Andres Iniesta, Xavi and Cesc Fabregas and France’s Olivier Giroud and Marcel Desailly tell their stories.
BBC Wales also has a host of content for Wales’ first World Cup since 1958, which you can see below. Newyddion S4C and Wales Today will also be live from Qatar with special programmes throughout the tournament.
Barbara Slater, director of BBC Sport, said: “For Qatar 2022, the BBC will unite across TV, radio and online to deliver our most comprehensive and holistic World Cup offering yet.”
“England’s opener, Wales’ key game against Iran and the huge home nations clash between Wales and England are all exclusively live on the BBC. Our non-stop coverage and content will be brought to viewers and listeners by an unrivalled squad of the best presenters, ex-players and experts. Together, they will offer all football fans the very best insight, commentary, analysis and entertainment.”
BBC Wales World Cup content
- Together Stronger – A landmark series charting the tumultuous and transformational 18-year period that took Wales from the depths of despair to their first World Cup in 64 years. When Toshack took over as Wales manager in 2004, he made the crucial decision to start again with a talented pool of teenagers and new caps. 18 years and four managers later, four of those – Bale, Ramsey, Allen and Hennessey – have propelled Wales from 117th in the world to a dream place at Qatar 2022, their first World Cup in 64 years.
- Late Night Football Club – A late-night entertainment and music series fused together with football and presented by former Wales international Robbie Savage and broadcaster Polly James, along with film producer and football fanatic Jonny Owen. A fun and cheeky programme recorded in front of an audience of football fans, each episode will line up star guests to talk about all things football and will be packed with segments and challenges.
- Legends of Welsh Sport: Neville Southall – Number One – This is the story of a football icon like no other, the story of a binman, who became a legend, Neville Southall.
- Legends of Welsh Sport: Toshack – Football Maverick – A nostalgic film celebrating the remarkable career of Welsh football legend John Toshack.
- Legends of Welsh Sport: Robbie Page – History Maker – This is the remarkable story of the boy from Tylorstown who would change the fortunes of Welsh football forever. Rhondda boy Robert Page will be the first Wales manager to qualify for a World Cup since 1958 but little is known about the quiet stand-in manager who ‘”fluked” his way to the top job.
- Match of the Day Wales Special: World Cup Squad Announcement – A Match of the Day Wales Special live from Robert Page’s hometown in the Rhondda where the Wales squad will be announced. The programme, filmed in Tylorstown, will capture the day’s events culminating in a live broadcast of the announcement.
- Match of the Day Wales: Road to Qatar – Join the Match of the Day Wales team for a very special preview programme as they kick off build up to the FIFA World Cup in Qatar. Find out everything you need to know as Wales prepare for the biggest sporting event of the year.
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