The Commentators’ View: FIFA World Cup Q&A
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What preparations are needed for commentary at the FIFA World Cup?
This BBC podcast is supported by ads outside the UK. Elisa Aito 5G. The Commentator's View on the Football Daily with Alistair Bruce Ball, John Murray and Ian Dennis.
How do international commentary styles differ?
Hello, this is the Football Daily. I'm John Murray and welcome to this special edition of the Commentator's View as we five live commentators answer listener questions ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026. Ian Dennis and Alistair Bruce Ball are with us. Just a few days to go now until the first ball is kicked. Mexico versus South Africa at Mexico City's Estadio Azteca. I've got to say, I am extremely envious of you being in the Azteca. I mean, what an occasion that will be at one of the most iconic stadiums in world football. I can't wait for it. As we record this... this is before we travel so i've not yet set foot in mexico city but we've had lots of briefings actually our our mexico correspondent central america correspondent will grant has uh has helped us with some advice things to do things not to do but you're right ian above all
To go and watch football, let alone commentate on it in the Azteca, that for me is very much going to tick a box.
We've got a question coming in a bit, haven't we, about early World Cup memories. And mine would be...
What are the first World Cup memories of the commentators?
Mexico 86, in particular Argentina against England. So, yeah, being there, being in that city, being in that stadium, I totally agree with Ian. I can't wait to listen to that, John. And as you've mentioned, the possibility that England could play Mexico there again. further down the line in the tournament, but we'll just have to see how that pans out.
Is the preparation for the World Cup different from other tournaments?
But let's hold on that, because I think that might feature a little later on in some of the questions that we've received from listeners to TCV at bbc.co.uk and the WhatsApps and voice notes to 08000 289 369. So thank you very much if you have done that. And here we go. First of all, Sterling. and his erstwhile dog-walking companion Angus the Puppy, Sterling says, "'Greetings from the Falkland Islands in the deepest South Atlantic,' I'm a long-time Football Daily subscriber and enjoy the whole Five Live range. However, says Sterling, since TCV burst onto the scene as the podcast we didn't know we needed, it has leapt to the top of my rankings, above MNC, Monday Night Club, and even the mighty EuroLeague's
I particularly enjoy your comments and asides on football fair in the grounds and cities you visit on your travels. My question is about international commentary styles.
Which matches are the commentators most excited for?
Are there any elements from other commentary cultures that you have adopted or perhaps would like to introduce to the BBC? Is the World Cup an opportunity in this regard? Can we expect to hear more Go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go on Five Live anytime soon.
What cities are the commentators looking forward to visiting?
Keep up the good work. Thank you very much.
What are the commentators' favorite national anthems and fan experiences?
Sterling in the Falkland Islands, Ian. Well, it's funny that Sterling should say that. And I think we've actually covered this before. But do you recall in 2006 when we shared the commentary at the World Cup and I'd gone seven games without commentating on a goal and I pitched up at Cologne and it was Ghana against the Czech Republic and Ghana scored after 68 seconds. And I wasn't 100% who'd got the goal for Ghana. From memory, it was Asamoah Jean. But I did, for a moment, think about going, goal! And I didn't. I refrained. But that's the one thing that nobody has done. However, if you are in Mexico, that could be an opportunity for you to do that, couldn't it? It could. But it won't. Whether that's likely to happen.
Will there be a World Cup edition of The Commentators' View?
I'm not sure that's what the listeners necessarily want, is it? And of course, we've already had the opportunity to do this when we commentated on the World Cup in Brazil.
Yes. Yeah. It doesn't suit our commentary style, does it? It's not how we do it. It's not how it's ever been done. And you've got to go with what is natural for you. I was commentating on that game with you, Ian, and Alistair Yeoman's producer at the time, because it had been so long. you know that the tournament had gone without you having a goal he had actually ripped up lots of little bits of paper I'm sure I've told this story on this pod before as confetti so that when Ian finally got a goal to commentate on he was going to shower him with these bits of paper and as Ian did that he did really well to pick the goal scorer so early in the game all this paper just suddenly flew up in the air and came tumbling down
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Chapters
8 chapters
1
What preparations are needed for commentary at the FIFA World Cup?
0:00–1:01
2
How do international commentary styles differ?
1:01–2:20
3
What are the first World Cup memories of the commentators?
2:20–2:40
4
Is the preparation for the World Cup different from other tournaments?
2:40–3:50
5
Which matches are the commentators most excited for?
3:50–4:13
6
What cities are the commentators looking forward to visiting?
4:13–4:16
7
What are the commentators' favorite national anthems and fan experiences?
4:16–5:07
8
Will there be a World Cup edition of The Commentators' View?
5:07–55:47