C4 announces England football line-up

Channel 4 has annonuced the presentation and commentary line-up for its coverage of England men’s UEFA Nations League games.

IMG will produce the broadcaster’s live coverage from the grounds, with six games to be shown just this year after Channel 4 took the matches free-to-air until 2024 in April. The deal means that all England games are free-to-air until then, with the BBC and ITV showing the country at the Qatar World Cup. 

Jules Breach will lead Channel 4’s coverage, presenting from pitch-side in Budapest as England face Hungary on 4 June. She will then be joined by former England internationals Michael Owen, Jordan Nobbs, and Joe Cole for the match against Germany in Munich on 7 June.

England then take on Italy and Hungary at Molineux where guests offering expert analysis will include Ashley Cole and Eni Aluko. 

Steve Bower will be leading the commentary with Rob Green and Graeme Le Saux at his side.

Across the Nations League, Channel 4’s Ade Adepitan will present England features and Kelly Somers will join the team as a reporter.

Breach said: “Watching England games as a little girl with my dad is what made me fall in love with the beautiful game, so it is an absolute honour to be presenting the coverage on England’s new home for football - Channel 4! We are so excited to bring fun, fresh energy to England’s upcoming matches that reflects the young, inspiring Three Lions squad we have all dared to dream with!”

Bower added: “I was delighted to commentate on the lionesses on Channel 4 in 2017 and am now thrilled to be with the men’s team for exciting coverage across these games. It’s a real privilege to call these national moments and I’m really looking forward to it.”

Channel 4’s head of sport Pete Andrews said: “We’re incredibly proud to have secured a fantastic line-up of some of the best talent in sport to front our coverage of the games. Gareth Southgate’s England are a team we can all get behind and it’s a thrill to bring the matches live and free to everyone.”

IMG’s director of content Stephen Cook said: “We are delighted to be working with Channel 4 again. It is an amazing privilege and responsibility to be providing coverage of this young, vibrant England team as they come back to play in front of packed houses, culminating in the game at Wembley in front of our old international rivals Germany. The IMG team is ready and excited about the game this weekend and those to come.”