Love Island stars were left completely unaware of the Lionesses' historic World Cup final against Spain, as ITV producers chose not to show the match in the villa. While the nation came to a standstill to watch England's first World Cup final since 1966, the islanders remained oblivious to the sporting drama unfolding thousands of miles away.
Production Decision Sparks Outrage
Fans have expressed fury after discovering producers deliberately kept the football off-screen, with many questioning why ITV couldn't have at least informed the contestants about the result. The decision appears particularly jarring given ITV's dual role as broadcaster of both Love Island and the World Cup coverage.
Social Media Backlash
Viewers took to Twitter to vent their frustration, with one writing: "Absolutely criminal that the Love Island producers didn't let them watch the Lionesses game." Another added: "The fact Love Island didn't show the girls the final is actually outrageous."
Missed Opportunity for Cross-Promotion
Industry experts suggest ITV missed a golden opportunity for cross-promotion between two of its biggest properties. The match attracted peak audiences of 12 million viewers, while Love Island typically draws around 1.5 million.
This isn't the first time Love Island has faced criticism for keeping islanders isolated from major national events. Previous series have similarly avoided showing significant football matches and other cultural moments.
