ITV's coverage of the World Cup knockout stage match between South Africa and Canada on Sunday, June 28, 2026, sparked immediate backlash from viewers, many of whom announced they were switching off the broadcast within minutes.
Presenter Laura Woods hosted the pre-match buildup from the ITV studio in Brooklyn, New York, alongside pundits Bradley Wright-Phillips, Karen Carney, and Duncan Ferguson. However, the panel drew widespread criticism on social media, with viewers describing the selection as "poor" and the commentary as unbearable.
Viewers React Strongly on Social Media
On X, one viewer wrote: "Well done ITV. I was looking forward to watching this... I heard the commentary and decided to watch 'Antiques Roadshow' on BBC. Has anyone ever asked the consumer what they want????" Another echoed: "What a poor selection of pundits, turn volume off in the breaks what a mess again from ITV."
A third viewer fumed: "Turned off. I saw the panel, then heard the so called 'Pundit' Aargh!!!!!! WHY ITV????? You're trying your best to put us all off football for good with your pundits and commentators." A fourth added: "Well I was gonna watch the game but the commentators are so bad I will give it a miss. Christ almighty, who is that commentating? Has someone won a competition?"
Suggestions for Improvement
One viewer suggested: "@itv the best way to watch is pause or record. You've wasted £ on awful pundits. Starting early subjecting footy fans to pointless build up. Start 15 mins before, show both teams highlights how they got there. Then anthems and it begins. Save money and save our ears."
During the buildup, the panel discussed South Africa's historic qualification for their first-ever knockout stage at the World Cup. A video showed people joyfully dancing in the streets of South Africa at 6am. Wright-Phillips commented: "If I was from South Africa, I'd be out there too. What we've got to take into consideration is where some of these people are coming from. This is a country where there's a lot of poverty and unemployment. It's almost like a social escape. When the team is doing well, to get to the knockout stages, it brings the country together. It's a chance to forget. Sometimes we just want to see the goals, but these are the moments to me that are beautiful."
