ITV are set to unveil a punditry team that includes big guns Gary Neville, Ian Wright and Roy Keane for the World Cup.
And – unlike their rivals at the BBC – the broadcaster will base themselves in a New York studio with a dramatic view of Brooklyn Bridge and the Big Apple’s iconic skyline.
Broadcasters Mark Pougatch and Laura Woods are expected to lead the coverage, with Pougatch in the booth for England matches.
Neville, Wright and Keane have become popular mainstays of ITV’s major tournament coverage and bosses will be delighted to have them lined up for the summer.
The channel’s approach is a contrast to that of the BBC, who will not have a studio in the US and who are not planning on sending their top pundits until the quarter-final stage.
Beeb bosses have put that move down to the rising costs of covering a tournament in three countries (US, Mexico and Canada) an increase in the number of matches and a desire from some to instead cover games from BBC HQ in Salford.
Gary Neville and Ian Wright will be part of ITV’s punditry line-up for this summer’s World Cup
Former Manchester United captain Roy Keane will also join the broadcaster’s team in New York
Presenter Laura Woods will lead the coverage for ITV alongside Mark Pougatch in the States
ITV’s studio is expected to be in Brooklyn and present viewers with a backdrop of the Brooklyn Bridge and the tip of Manhattan Island.
The broadcaster will air 29 group-stage games, which include England’s tournament opener against Croatia in Dallas on June 17 and final group match with Panama on June 27 as part of their deal to split games with the BBC.
The World Cup is one of the ‘crown jewel’ events, which the government stipulates must be free-to-air.
