The BBC has reportedly made a major decision regarding their coverage of the 2026 World Cup.
In just over six months, the biggest event of the football calendar will get underway as the 2026 World Cup kicks off across North America.
A total of 104 matches will be played in in the expanded 48-team tournament, with the United States of America, Mexico and Canada all hosting games.
It is expected billions of fans across the world will tune in to watch the competition, with it likely being the most watched sporting event of all time.
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The BBC will be one of the major broadcasters showing World Cup matches in the UK, yet it has made a controversial decision about their coverage.
According to a report from Mail Sport, the BBC has decided not to send not planning to send any pundits to North America for the World Cup until the quarter-finals at the earliest.
The BBC also does not plan to have its own studio at the tournament, unlike broadcast rivals ITV which will also show matches from the tournament.
Most of the matches will be covered from the BBC's base in Salford's Media City, with colour pundits like Wayne Rooney watching and analysing matches from another continent.
However, commentators for the BBC will be in the USA for any matches deemed to be high-profile or those involving the home nations.
Commentary for other matches will be done from Salford.
Although the decision is yet to be confirmed, is reported that the reason for the decision was simply because the costs involved with covering a 48 nations tournament hosted across three countries thousands of miles away would be too much.
Despite the fact that the decision would ultimately save tax-payer's money, it has been criticised by some who believe that ITV will now secure the top pundits.
Clive Efford MP, the former shadow minister for sport, criticised the plan, saying: "If the BBC are not there for the entirety of the tournament I will be shocked.
'It's an obvious decision. This is our national sport followed by millions of people and this is a World Cup. The BBC should recognise that.
"It's a question of priorities and it looks like they're getting them completely wrong. I'm stunned that they would even think about not being there."
ITV are also yet to announce their coverage plans, but sources have told the Mail that they will usa a studio in New York, which hosts the final and seven other matches across the competition.
Topics: Football, Wayne Rooney, FIFA World Cup, Football World Cup
Ben McCrum