Who is commentating Uzbekistan v Colombia on BBC and where to watch World Cup 2026 clash in the UK
Match date:
Uzbekistan v Colombia at the FIFA World Cup 2026 is set for 03:00 UK time on Friday 18 June 2026, with the match available in the UK on BBC One, BBC Sport Online and BBC iPlayer, while BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds will also provide audio coverage.[2][5]
The BBC’s television commentary for this fixture is listed as Liam McLeod with James McFadden, and the radio coverage will be presented by Dotun Adebayo.[1][2][5] BBC Sport has confirmed that it will show 54 live World Cup matches on BBC One or Two, with every game available on BBC iPlayer and live commentary across BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds.[2]
Liam McLeod is one of the BBC’s established commentators for the tournament, while James McFadden brings the perspective of a former Scotland international who has been part of BBC co-commentary teams in major tournaments.[1] BBC’s wider World Cup line-up also includes familiar names such as Kelly Cates, Mark Chapman, Gabby Logan and Alex Scott in the studio, underlining how heavily the corporation is leaning on recognisable football broadcasters across the competition.[1][5]
For listeners, Dotun Adebayo fronts BBC Radio 5 Live’s audio presentation, which BBC Sport says will carry live commentary on every World Cup match, aside from the two simultaneous final group games when coverage is split.[2][5] The BBC has also said that highlights of every match will be available on BBC iPlayer and online, which means fans missing the early kick-off can still catch the key moments later in the day.[2]
Outside the BBC, the match will also be shown in the United States on FOX ONE and Fox Sports 1, with Jacqui Oatley on commentary alongside Warren Barton and former official Joe Machnik in the broadcast team.[1] Oatley is a notable voice in British football broadcasting and one of the most recognisable women commentators in the game, while Barton is a former Newcastle United defender who has long been used in co-commentary roles for major tournaments.[1]
The world feed for the game features James Fielden and Andy Hinchcliffe, and those same commentators are being used by RTÉ 2 in Ireland.[1] Hinchcliffe is a former Everton and Manchester City defender who has built a strong reputation as a tactically astute pundit and co-commentator, making the world-feed pairing a familiar one for tournament viewers.[1]
There is also an alternative audio option in the UK through talkSPORT, where Olly Clink presents with Mark Wilson on commentary and Alvin Martin alongside him.[1] That gives British audiences a choice between the BBC’s television and radio output and a commercial radio offering for one of the World Cup’s early morning fixtures.[2]
BBC Sport’s wider World Cup coverage also suggests this match will be easy to follow on the move, with live text, online updates and on-demand highlights all part of its tournament package.[2][7] For readers wanting the BBC’s tournament hub, the broadcaster’s dedicated World Cup page can be found here: BBC World Cup coverage.[7]
Article generated: 17 June 2026, 15:10 GMT