This article first appeared in Radio Times magazine.
What does the biggest-ever World Cup Finals mean for the viewers?
They need stamina! But with almost half the group-stage games kicking off between midnight and 5am BST, viewers can be choosy. Some people will watch everything.
ITV’s coverage is coming from New York. Tell us about the set-up and how you’ve been preparing.
Our studio is in Brooklyn with Lower Manhattan over my shoulder. It will look spectacular, and I genuinely believe by being there we can absorb the rhythms of the place, right at the heart of it.
ITV will show England’s first and last group games, their first knockout game and their quarter-final, if they get far.
Nothing in British television comes close to the England men’s football team at a major tournament. England knockout matches can reach audiences of up to 20 million people.
Fifa has ruled there will be three-minute hydration breaks, 22 minutes into each half of every match, what are your thoughts on that?
It’s very sensible. Viewers will just get used to us talking over the breaks, as ITV will not be showing picture-in-picture adverts. Thunderstorm warnings may also cause delays, as in last year’s Club World Cup in the USA.
England won all their qualifying matches without conceding a goal, and are third favourites to lift the trophy. Do those facts flatter to deceive?
Since 2018, England have done everything but win a major tournament. They’ve earned the right to be in the top-tier conversation – but it’s the hardest step forward. In the knockout stage, they could play four games in 11 days so the squad will be key.
Has Thomas Tuchel captured the fans’ imagination like Gareth Southgate?
Well, we haven’t had a tournament with him yet. The German mentality is much closer to the British mentality than the French or Spanish. He completely gets us.
Do England’s men have something to learn from the multi-trophy-winning women?
Yes, not least because the Lionesses proved that when you win it once, you could win it again.
Scotland have reached their first Finals in 28 years, but are in such a tough group. How difficult is their task?
It’s thrilling that they’ve made it, and the fans will travel in enormous numbers despite the costs. It definitely helps that in eight of the 12 groups, the third-placed team will qualify alongside the top two. So that makes Scotland’s first group game, against Haiti, massive. Win that and they give themselves every chance of qualifying.
Quickfire:
Who’s going to win the World Cup?
Spain is the best team and are very well coached. They won the Euros – they know how to win.
How far will England go?
They may well face Brazil in the quarter-finals, who will be too good.
And Scotland?
With eight teams reaching the knockout stages, let’s say the last 16.
England’s key player?
Jude Bellingham has a lot to prove after Real Madrid’s difficult season, but he can do it all.
And Scotland’s?
John McGinn has led Aston Villa so brilliantly this season. He can be Scotland’s talisman.
Dark horse?
Portugal aren’t a real dark horse, but with a population the size of London’s, it’s ridiculous how much they compete and succeed.
Player of the tournament?
France have so many attacking players but Désiré Doué has fantastic skills and still plays with the innocence of youth at 21.
The team other than Scotland or England that you’re most looking forward to watching?
Honestly, I’ve no idea how good Curaçao are, and I’m intrigued to see if they can really play.
ITV’s coverage starts Thursday on ITV1, with the opening game, Mexico v South Africa, kick-off 8pm
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