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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Hannah Jane Parkinson

Legends of the fall: pundits bring cold comfort to World Cup viewers

BBC's coverage of England v Iran at the 2022 World Cup.
BBC pundits discuss England’s World Cup win against Iran on Monday. Photograph: BBC

There’s a perception that working in the media is glamorous, especially when it comes to covering massive cultural and sporting events. Well, my first involvement with Glastonbury as a journalist was live-blogging it from an office, and it’s an absolute pleasure to be bringing you coverage of the World Cup from my kitchen. As someone who is, according to Qatari World Cup ambassador Khalid Salman, “damaged in the mind”, this is probably for the best.

Usually, watching the home nations from the home nations during big tournaments means bagsying pub‑garden tables alongside fans with England flag face-paint sweated off into strawberry swirls. The Tartan Army teaming tracksuit tops with kilts. Wales supporters quoting Michael Sheen’s rousing speech from A League of Their Own. And, though we’ve collectively tried to forget, observing men with flares up their arses.

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