The World Cup has already produced a stream of off-pitch moments that have cut through the football itself. From online abuse turned back on its authors to surprise punditry cameos, the broadcast side of the tournament has been full of friction, humour and small acts of defiance.
That is part of why the midway point feels less like a pause and more like a highlight reel. www.theguardian.com’s roundup of the tournament’s best television moments shows how the coverage has been shaped as much by personalities, missteps and viral clips as by the matches.
Emma Hayes turns the trolling back on itself
ITV analyst Emma Hayes has faced misogynistic abuse online despite her record as one of Britain’s most successful coaches, including seven WSL titles with Chelsea and Olympic gold with the USA women’s team. When she reappeared wearing a jacket with the slogan “She will change the world,” she answered the criticism without raising her voice.
Hayes also delivered one of the sharpest lines of the tournament’s broadcast so far, telling viewers, “Let’s focus on the game. I know that’s a challenge for some of us at home.”
Gary Lineker swaps the BBC box for ITV
Gary Lineker has made the most of his expanded freedom by appearing on ITV after leaving his old BBC setup behind. During coverage of Germany v Côte d’Ivoire, he joked about “another day, another game, another channel” before being cut across by Laura Woods.
Lineker’s brief cameo underlined how quickly he has moved from the BBC’s familiar studio model to a more freewheeling role elsewhere.
Japan’s tidy finish becomes a tournament habit
Japanese supporters have once again drawn praise for staying behind after matches to clean up stadium rubbish. The gesture, which has become closely associated with Japan’s World Cup appearances, is linked to the Shinto belief that everyday objects deserve respect.
The scene has been repeated enough to feel like a tradition rather than a novelty, and it has become one of the tournament’s most widely shared images.
Merlin the duck steals attention in Mexico
The opening match of the tournament delivered an unexpected mascot of its own when Merlin, a duck wearing a miniature Mexico shirt and custom socks, went viral after Mexico’s 2-0 win over South Africa. The bird was later seen with Mexican president Claudia Sheinbaum during her morning press conference.
Forget the official mascot for co-host Mexico. Merlin has become the unlikely animal star of the tournament, and he appears to be comfortable with the attention.
Alexi Lalas lands a blunt insult on live TV
Fox pundit Alexi Lalas has been a regular source of irritation for viewers with his forceful and often poorly received opinions. His colleagues Thierry Henry and Zlatan Ibrahimović seemed unimpressed too, even refusing to pass to him during an in-studio kickabout.
His standout moment came when he watched a trailer for After Hours With James Corden and called Corden a “full-kit wanker” live on air. Thierry Henry’s reaction said plenty.
Hydration breaks do not get a warm welcome
Fifa’s drink breaks were introduced in the name of player welfare, but they have quickly become one of the least popular features of the coverage. Fans have jeered the pauses for disrupting the flow of matches, especially when the stadium is already wet and play feels broken enough.
The measure has also intensified suspicion that the sport is being bent toward advertising, while Fifa president Gianni Infantino has been booed whenever he appears on the big screen.
Belgium’s soaking huddle goes badly wrong
Belgium’s team talk during their opening match against Egypt was derailed when the players huddled in the path of the sprinklers. Head coach Rudi Garcia ended up drenched and spent the next 20 minutes in the dugout looking soaked and less than authoritative.
The moment made it hard for his players to take the instructions seriously, and it added another unintended comedy clip to the tournament’s TV archive.
Vozinha becomes the tournament’s first cult hero
Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha, aged 40, emerged as one of the early tournament’s defining figures after a string of saves against Spain. Cape Verde earned a shock 0-0 draw, and the keeper was named man of the match after helping hold out the European champions.
His tears at full time brought a more personal note to the coverage, and his social following reportedly jumped from 40,000 to more than 15m overnight.
Ally McCoist keeps ITV entertaining
ITV’s co-commentary has also generated its own fan base, largely thanks to Ally McCoist. His mix of humour, energy and insight has made him a favourite, especially beside the more downbeat style of Lee Dixon.
The former striker has even inspired a drinking game created by comedian Olaf Falafel, although the article warns that trying to keep up can leave viewers severely tipsy.
England’s official photos keep getting mocked
The England squad’s official Fifa portraits have become a recurring source of amusement as lineups appear on screen. Declan Rice has been described as sunburnt, Dean Henderson as giving a sinister side-eye, and Anthony Gordon’s portrait has drawn comparisons ranging from Princess Diana to Clare Balding.
Reece James has also been mocked for standing stiffly with his arms by his side, with social media comparing him to a table football figure or a shy schoolboy sent downstairs to show off his new kit.
Football and food briefly share the same frame
One of the tournament’s earliest TV talking points came before the official start, when pitch-side diners were spotted during the England v Costa Rica warm-up match. As Declan Rice prepared to take a corner, spectators behind him were seen eating at tables in full view of the action.
It looked charmingly civilised until the possibility of a stray clearance landing in someone’s soup made the scene feel a lot less relaxed.