251013 Alexander Isak of Sweden ahead of the FIFA World Cup, WM, Weltmeisterschaft, Fussball Qualifier football match between Sweden and Kosovo on October 13, 2025 in Gothenburg. Photo: Joel Marklund / BILDBYRAN / kod JM / JM0741 bbeng fotboll football soccer fotball vm-kval kval fifa world cup qualifier qualifier qualification sverige sweden sverige a kosovo *** 251013 Alexander Isak of Sweden ahead of the FIFA World Cup Qualifier football match between Sweden and Kosovo on October 13, 2025 in Gothenburg Photo Joel Marklund BILDBYRAN kod JM JM0741 bbeng fotboll football soccer fotball vm kval kval fifa world cup qualifier qualifier qualification sverige sweden sverige a kosovo PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxSWExNORxFINxDEN Copyright: JOELxMARKLUND BB251013JM181
Scotland fans and armchair viewers across Britain are enjoying a quality tournament so far, but the television coverage has been a persistent source of frustration.
Duncan Ferguson has mellowed considerably over the years, which was perhaps fortunate for Wyclef Jean during an awkward moment on the ITV pundit couch against the Manhattan skyline.
The Fugees rapper appeared to try winding up the former striker, and for a split second Ferguson’s brow furrowed in a way that raised genuine concerns among viewers watching at home.
Big Dunc has done his best in front of the cameras, but there has not been a great deal else to celebrate from the national broadcasters during this tournament.
The BBC have taken flak for hosting their studio broadcasts back in Salford, with Wayne Rooney looking like he is suffering from serious FOMO while the ITV crew enjoy being Stateside.
The deeper problem with the BBC output is simply that it has been so dull, with Olivier Giroud struggling to make any real impression as a television personality.
He has been a human sleeping tablet, which is not ideal when most of the matches have been screened at unsociable hours for British viewers.
Over at ITV, Roy Keane, Gary Neville, and Ian Wright have been rolled out once again, and the world is well past the overkill stage with that particular combination of personalities.
Ange Postecoglou has been solid in his punditry role, but he has too often been reserved for matches screened when the milkman is doing his early morning run.
Emma Hayes clearly knows her football, but producers did her no favours with a hydration break feature that had the US women’s coach discussing tactics on a blackboard in what appeared to be a kitchen setting.
Being tied exclusively to the English channels has proven particularly painful for Scottish supporters, who have received little more than lip service and pats on the head throughout the coverage.
There has been plenty of forensic daily analysis of Thomas Tuchel’s England camp, while Scotland have been reduced to segments about Boston police officers doing keepy-ups and fans drinking in city squares.
Both major broadcasters have also missed an obvious trick by failing to provide any kind of morning highlights package, given how late most of the matches have been finishing for UK audiences.
A short half-hour show at around 8am, reviewing the previous night’s games with some informed discussion, would have served viewers heading to work rather well.
The only mainstream morning offering has come from Gary Lineker’s show over on Netflix, though Scotland supporters will have quickly switched off after the coverage following their opening game.
Lineker and Alan Shearer appeared genuinely clueless about how Steve Clarke’s men operate, with recognition barely stretching beyond Andy Robertson, Scott McTominay, and John McGinn.
There was a brief glimmer of hope when Joe Cole was asked about Clarke, having worked under the Scotland manager during his time at Chelsea, but the insight amounted to little.
“I’m pleased for him, he’s a top geezer,” was the sum and substance of Cole’s contribution to the analytical discussion.
The World Cup itself has been a genuine smash hit, but the television coverage has left armchair viewers across Scotland seriously tempted to head-butt their screens in sheer exasperation.
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