FIFA World Cup 2026: BBC Radio 5 Live Commentary Team and Where to Listen on November 11, 2025

Match date: 11 November 2025

FIFA World Cup 2026: BBC Radio 5 Live Commentary Team and Where to Listen on November 11, 2025

The BBC is one of the UK broadcasters airing live coverage of the FIFA World Cup 2026, sharing rights equally with ITV to ensure widespread free-to-air access across television, radio, and digital platforms. On November 11, 2025 at 21:30 UK time, football fans can tune in to BBC Radio 5 Live for expert commentary and analysis of the upcoming World Cup matches.

The live radio coverage will be presented by Kelly Cates, a respected broadcaster known for her extensive experience in sports presenting with the BBC. Kelly has hosted numerous high-profile football shows, including coverage of the Premier League and previous international tournaments, bringing engaging and insightful presentation to listeners.

Supporting Kelly in the analysis are three pundits:

• Nedum Onuoha – A former professional footballer with an extensive career at Manchester City and Queens Park Rangers, Onuoha has become a well-regarded football analyst and pundit since retiring. His insights are valued for combining tactical understanding with first-hand playing experience.
• Rory Smith – Chief football writer at The New York Times and a respected voice in the football journalism world, Smith offers sharp, analytical perspectives on the game’s broader narratives and tactical evolutions.
• Kae Kurd – Initially known for his comedy, Kae Kurd has established himself as a knowledgeable football enthusiast and commentator, bringing a fresh, relatable viewpoint to the punditry team.

This commentary team can also be accessed via the BBC Sounds app, providing listeners worldwide an easy way to stay connected with all the live audio action from the tournament.

The FIFA World Cup 2026 is a landmark event jointly hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States, featuring a record 48 teams competing in 16 host cities across North America. The tournament will host 104 matches, making it the most expansive FIFA World Cup to date. The BBC and ITV have secured a deal to split coverage between them, sharing matches equally including the final, and ensuring that millions of viewers and listeners can experience the tournament free-to-air

BBC Radio 5 Live’s coverage extends beyond live commentary, often including pregame and postgame analysis, interviews, and ongoing updates available through BBC’s online platforms such as BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website. This ensures football fans across Britain can enjoy detailed and insightful match coverage wherever they prefer to listen.

For those interested in following the broadcasters and pundits further:

• Official FIFA announcement on UK broadcast rights
• Live Soccer TV – BBC Radio 5 Live schedule and coverage
• BBC Sport official website

Listeners can tune in to BBC Radio 5 Live via FM, DAB radio, or online streaming to catch the comprehensive coverage by Kelly Cates and the expert pundits Nedum Onuoha, Rory Smith, and Kae Kurd. This broadcast forms part of the BBC’s effort to bring top-level football commentary straight to UK audiences, combining the expertise of former professionals, journalists, and presenters to enhance the World Cup experience.