World Cup 2026 viewers fume over BBC’s ‘unwatchable’ England coverage

Gabby Logan was hosting live from the Salford studio for England’s Group L match against Ghana

BBC viewers were left unimpressed as they tuned in to watch England in action.

Gabby Logan made her return to screens on Tuesday (June 23) to front coverage of England’s Group L clash against Ghana at Boston Stadium in the USA, with both nations playing their second fixture of the group stage.

This marks only the second occasion these two sides have ever played against each other, and their first encounter in a competitive setting. Their previous meeting dates back to March 2011, when former Sunderland forward Asamoah Gyan netted a stoppage-time leveller to secure a 1-1 draw at Wembley Stadium.

Gabby was accompanied in the Salford studio by Joe Hart, Wayne Rooney and Micah Richards, while match commentary was provided by Guy Mowbray and Alan Shearer.

However, BBC viewers were swift to voice identical grievances regarding the broadcaster’s coverage. Numerous supporters expressed frustration with the “buffering” coverage on iPlayer, as well as a live interview with British rapper Stormzy, reports the Mirror.

“England v Ghana on BBC iPlayer is buffering like crazy. It’s not just iPlayer, games buffer on ITVX too. Happens on the big fixtures, obvs,” one person posted on X (formerly Twitter), with another chiming in: “@BBCiPlayer not fit for purpose. Give me @itvx every time.”

A third commented: “@BBC what’s going on,” accompanied by a screenshot of the app failing to load.

Referencing Stormzy’s interview before the match, a fourth viewer declared: “Dear BBC Sport. Football. Fans. Don’t. Care. About. Celebrities. At. The. World. Cup. Stop it,” with another chiming in: “@BBCSport wasting licence payers cash yet again with a pointless interview with #Stormzy! Pathetic and nothing to do with football!”

Further complaints followed, with someone else posting: “BBC World Cup coverage is poor. S***,” while another shared: “Their coverage of this #worldcup has been beyond woeful.”

A third remarked: “Congrats to ITV and the BBC for making the World Cup unwatchable.”

However, other viewers heaped praise on the BBC’s World Cup coverage, especially lead presenters Gabby and Kelly Cates.

“BBC coverage soo much better. Great female presenters with Gabby and Kelly. Miles better than ITV,” one person posted, with another concurring: “Yeah the female presenters are excellent.”

The Three Lions will be hoping to progress to the knockout rounds for the third successive World Cup. They have only crashed out at the group stage once in their last seven tournament appearances.

Tonight’s viewer complaints follow several interruptions to the BBC’s coverage of the football tournament.

Gabby Logan notably delivered a politics announcement during Monday’s (June 22) live transmission, just hours before coverage was pulled off air due to France and Iraq’s match being delayed. FIFA released a statement following alerts of a “severe thunderstorm approaching” the Philadelphia stadium.

Coverage of the FIFA World Cup 2026 is available to stream on BBC iPlayer and ITVX