The 48-team 2026 World Cup is the biggest international tournament in history, and the BBC have confirmed their pundits' line-up with one former Liverpool star included
Jurgen Klopp and Lucas Leiva during a Liverpool training session
Jurgen Klopp and Lucas Leiva during a Liverpool training session(Image: John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
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Former Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva has joined the BBC Sport team for the 2026 FIFA World Cup next month. The World Cup will be played in the United States, Canada and Mexico between June 11 and July 19.
The BBC will be airing a total of 54 matches, including England's group-stage clash against Ghana. They will also show Scotland games against Haiti and Brazil and some big matches, including France vs Senegal, Brazil vs Morocco and the Netherlands vs Sweden.
And the broadcaster has confirmed that, as well as Leiva, Olivier Giroud, Cesar Azpilicueta and Benni McCarthy have also joined for this summer’s competition.
Kelly Cates, Mark Chapman, Gabby Logan and Alex Scott will lead the BBC’s TV coverage, joined by pundits including Alan Shearer, Wayne Rooney, Micah Richards, Ellen White, Steph Houghton, Rachel Corsie, Giroud, Joe Hart, Azpilicueta, McCarthy, Leiva and Thomas Frank.
"The BBC is turning the biggest World Cup in history into the most iconic one yet. We're bringing fans closer to every match, every moment and every story than ever before," Alex Kay-Jelski, BBC Director of Sport, said.
"Sport truly unites people like nothing else so we can't wait for fans to enjoy not just the live matches with us but an abundance of football content, all day, every day across our platforms.
"Whether it's our new series on YouTube and iPlayer, the biggest news stories on our website and app, our daily podcasts on Sounds or the viral moments on social media – we're here for audiences 24/7 this summer, taking them straight to the heart of the World Cup."
Lucas moved to Anfield in 2007 from Gremio in his homeland, becoming a key player under Rafa Benitez and later establishing his importance to both Sir Kenny Dalglish and Brendan Rodgers.
Jurgen Klopp manager of Liverpool talking with Liverpool legends Lucas Leiva and Martin Skrtel during the pre-season friendly match between Liverpool and Bayern Muenchen at the National Stadium on August 02, 2023 in Singapore.
Jurgen Klopp talking with Lucas Leiva and Martin Skrtel during the pre-season friendly between Liverpool and Bayern Munich in 2023.(Image: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
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Jurgen Klopp's arrival in 2015 saw Lucas play in a variety of positions before he lost his place, with Jordan Henderson and Gini Wijnaldum preferred in midfield.
And speaking back in October 2024, the Brazil international revealed how he cried in meetings with Klopp when the time came for him to leave the club and join Lazio.
He said: "That's why I always liked Jurgen – because he was always very honest. In another moment I had a very good opportunity but Jurgen said, 'I still need you.' I was coming to my last year of my Liverpool contract and he said, 'Next year, if something good comes for you, I will help you out.' That was the case.
"That pre-season when Lazio came in for me, I felt it was the right moment. They were flying to Hong Kong in the afternoon and in the morning came that Lazio offer. He said, 'Stay back, get everything done, don't worry.'
"It was emotional. I cried and he did a little bit as well because of the respect we had for each other."