Eni Aluko is axed from ITV’s star-studded World Cup line-up after her row with Ian Wright which saw him refuse to accept her apology
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ITV has confirmed its star-studded squad for the World Cup; The broadcaster is looking to outshine the BBC for this summer’s tournament.
Gary Neville, Roy Keane and Patrick Vieira are among the high-profile names who have imparted their insight and expertise throughout the 104-game bonanza, while the network has also brought on former Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou.
But there is no room for Eni Aluko. While the former England Lioness has been overlooked, Ian Wright has been called out, who she controversially accused of ‘blocking’ broadcast opportunities for female pundits in women’s sports.
Aluko worked for ITV at the last World Cup in 2022 but was not selected this time.
Mark Pougatch and Laura Woods will lead the coverage, with Pougatch leading the England matches.
ITV has pulled out all the stops and it will be set in a studio in New York with dramatic views of the Brooklyn Bridge and the Big Apple’s iconic skyline.
The channel’s approach contrasts with that of the BBC, which will not have a studio in the US and does not plan to send its senior experts until the quarter-final stage.
ITV confirms squad to broadcast this summer’s World Cup
Eni Aluko is not among the experts on the list, despite working for ITV at the last World Cup
The decision was criticized by former Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker, who described his studios as ‘the green box in Salford’.
ITV will broadcast 51 matches throughout the tournament and has brought together an eclectic range of experts to make sure all the bases are covered.
Alongside the network’s stalwarts such as Keane and Wright, former Chelsea manager Emma Hayes, Duncan Ferguson, Karen Carney, Patrick Vieira, Bradley Wright-Phillips and Juan Mata will also detail a number of the squad.
The streamer will also attempt to capitalize on its advantages in the field with additional episodes from its studio in Brooklyn, led by Adam Richman of Man Vs Food fame.
Richman, along with co-host Semra Hunter, will aim to give viewers a third perspective on the tournament from a socio-cultural perspective.
