Gabby Logan has come out swinging in defence of the BBC’s decision to broadcast most of the 2026 World Cup from Salford rather than North America.
The veteran presenter called the approach “eminently sensible,” pointing to both financial pressures and environmental considerations.
“I think there are many, many good reasons why you would stay in one place in the UK, in terms of sustainability of the event,” she said.
“It doesn’t cost as much – we have to think about that, and the belt is being tightened all the time with the licence fee.”
Gabby Logan has defended the BBC’s decision to base their World Cup operations in Salford this summer
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Logan also highlighted the broadcaster’s recent BAFTA win for last year’s Women’s Euros coverage as proof the strategy works brilliantly.
There’s a bittersweet element to Logan’s World Cup schedule, though.
The presenter, whose father Terry Yorath both played for and managed Wales, had been hoping to anchor a Canada-Wales clash.
“My first game is a personal disappointment because it was supposed to be, in my mind, Canada-Wales,” she admitted. “And then I thought maybe it would be Canada-Italy.”
Instead, she’ll be presenting Canada versus Bosnia & Herzegovina on 12 June after Wales suffered play-off heartbreak in March.
Wales were left heartbroken after their defeat to Bosnia on penalties
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GETTYCraig Bellamy’s side lost on penalties to Bosnia following Edin Dzeko’s late equaliser, dashing hopes of a second consecutive World Cup appearance.
While ITV Sport plans to broadcast from its New York studio throughout the tournament, the BBC is taking a different approach.
Presenters and pundits will remain at the Salford base initially, only heading across the Atlantic for the final week leading up to the 19 July showpiece in New Jersey.
Logan insisted this won’t affect what viewers see at home.
“We will have people on the ground, obviously, we’ve got reporters and we’ve got commentators who are there, so we will very much have a feel of people being there,” she explained.
She noted that even at previous tournaments in Paris and Rio, coverage centred on a single studio location.
Logan confirmed she’ll be the lead presenter for England’s second group match against Ghana on 23 June.
Gabby Logan is one of main presenters for the BBC at the World Cup
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PAShe’s sharing hosting duties with Mark Chapman, Kelly Cates, and Alex Scott, though the BBC hasn’t yet revealed who’ll front the final.
The presenter also had warm words for Wayne Rooney, who joins the punditry team for the tournament.
“I think his progress has been brilliant and I think that’s probably been helped by learning his broadcasting chops on the podcast,” she said.
Logan added that the former England striker “seems to be enjoying it more and more and more.”