Kelly Cates and Mark Chapman reveal how the BBC will cover the World Cup
This article first appeared in Radio Times magazine. Match of the Day hosts Kelly Cates and Mark Chapman will be presenting on BBC television and radio across the World Cup 2026. Here, they speak to Radio Times about covering the tournament from Salford, winner predictions and who they think could be lifting the trophy come 19 July. Kelly Cates What does the biggest-ever World Cup mean for viewers and listeners? It means they’ll get so much more – more games, access to the players, the squads, the teams. We’ll be right in the middle of the camps, getting a real feel for it. How are you preparing? I have a giant stats pack. When the Premier League season finished I could clear out my brain and put new information in because there was room for the details to take hold. You’ll be presenting the majority of TV coverage from an immersive studio in Salford, as happened with the Women’s Euros – how will you bring viewers a taste of the atmosphere from the 16 host …








