The BBC has repeatedly faced denunciations over the hordes of staff it takes to major events, from the Glastonbury festival to the Olympics. However, the broadcaster is now facing criticism over a plan to cover some games at next summer’s World Cup remotely to keep down costs.
The 2026 tournament will be the biggest ever, hosted across three countries, different timezones and including an expanded 48-team lineup. To keep a handle on costs, the BBC is considering asking TV commentators and pundits to cover some lower-demand games from its base in Salford, Manchester.