TV VIEWERS IN Ireland now know their three-course options it comes to feasting on this summer’s World Cup, which kicks off when co-hosts Mexico welcome South Africa to the historic Azteca Stadium on Thursday.

While BBC will be broadcasting from a new “state-of-the art immersive studio” in Salford, ITV will be based in New York with Roy Keane their main course, although there is also an off-menu dessert option.

James McClean will be part of the RTÉ offering from Donnybrook, so let’s hope the football is all we need to whet the appetite.

RTÉ

Presenters: Joanne Cantwell, Peter Collins, Marie Crowe, Jacqui Hurley, Clare MacNamara, Tony O’Donoghue.

Commentators: Des Curran, Darragh Maloney, Adrian Eames, John Kenny and Cathal Mullaney.

Pundits and co-commentators: Shay Given, Ronnie Whelan, Ray Houghton, James McClean, Dietmar Hamann, Áine O’Gorman, Kenny Cunningham, Stephen Kelly, Keith Treacy, Richie Sadlier, Alan Cawley, Kevin Doyle, Niamh Fahey.

BBC

Presenters: Kelly Cates, Mark Chapman, Gabby Logan and Alex Scott.

Commentators: Guy Mowbray, Steve Wilson, Steve Bower, Jonathan Pearce, Robyn Cowen, Steven Wyeth and Liam McLeod.

Pundits and co-commentators: Alan Shearer, Wayne Rooney, Micah Richards, Joe Hart, Paul Robinson, Steph Houghton, Ellen White and Danny Murphy will all be part of the BBC team.

Representing Scotland are Scott Brown, Rachel Corsie and James McFadden. World Cup winner Olivier Giroud, Gaël Clichy, César Azpilicueta, Benni McCarthy, Ashley Williams and Thomas Frank add an international dimension. 

Referee expert: Darren Cann.

ITV

Presenters: Mark Pougatch, Laura Woods and Semra Hunter.

Commentators: Sam Matterface, Jon Champion, Seb Hutchinson and Joe Speight

Pundits and co-commentators: Roy Keane, Ian Wright, Gary Neville, Patrick Vieira, Karen Carney, Ange Postecoglou, Juan Mata, Emma Hayes, Duncan Ferguson, Jobi McAnuff and Bradley Wright-Phillips. Lee Dixon, Ally McCoist, Andros Townsend and Lucy Ward will be on co-commentary duty while Gabriel Clarke and Connie McLaughlin will report on the ground.

Referee expert: Christina Unkel.

And for the dessert: Man v Food presenter Adam Richman will co-host a show on “social and cultural moments.”