SBS has confirmed Harry Kewell, Lydia Williams and David Basheer as the headline acts for its FIFA World Cup 2026 coverage.
With 100 days until kick-off, SBS has unveiled its on-air team for the FIFA World Cup 2026, confirming a line-up led by former internationals Harry Kewell and Lydia Williams, alongside veteran commentator David Basheer.
The 2026 tournament will feature 104 matches played across 16 cities in three countries, making it the largest edition in the competition’s history. Coverage will be hosted from SBS’s Sydney studios by presenters Niav Owens and Claudio Fabiano.
Joining them in the studio are Kewell, a former Socceroos representative who played at multiple FIFA World Cups and at club level for Leeds United, Liverpool and Galatasaray, and Williams, a long-serving Matildas goalkeeper who appeared at several FIFA Women’s World Cups and Olympic Games.
“The FIFA World Cup is the pinnacle. There’s nothing else like it in football,” Harry Kewell said.
“I’ve experienced the intensity and pride of representing Australia on that stage, and it stays with you forever.
With 100 days to go, you can already feel the anticipation building.
This tournament will be bigger than anything we’ve seen before, and I’m looking forward to bringing Australians inside what it really takes to perform when the whole world is watching.
When Australians think FIFA World Cup, they think SBS and it’s incredibly special to be part of that tradition as the tournament returns.”
Kewell won the UEFA Champions League with Liverpool and later moved into coaching, including roles at Celtic and with Yokohama F. Marinos, guiding the Japanese club to an AFC Champions League final. He is currently a head coach in Asia.
Williams made her international debut two decades ago and was first selected for a Women’s World Cup in 2007. She retired from international football in May 2024, representing the Matildas for a final time before the Paris 2024 Olympics. Williams now sits on the board of the Australian Sports Commission and was recently awarded the Alex Tobin OAM Medal by the Professional Footballers Australia.
“Playing at a World Cup changes you.
At a World Cup, you’re not just playing for your team, you’re playing for everyone watching back home.”
“It’s a moment when the whole country comes together, connected by the game.
With 100 days to go, the excitement is real, and I’m thrilled to help Australians experience every moment.
There’s something powerful about watching the FIFA World Cup together, and SBS has been at the heart of that shared experience for generations.”
The leading voice for Socceroos matches will again be David Basheer, who brings more than 35 years of commentary experience and has covered nine previous FIFA World Cups across men’s and women’s tournaments. He will also host a daily vodcast on SBS On Demand focused on the Socceroos for the duration of their campaign.
Ken Shipp, SBS Director of Sport, said reaching the 100-day milestone marked a significant moment in the global sporting calendar.
“Reaching 100 days to go marks a major milestone in the global sporting calendar, The FIFA World Cup 2026 will be the biggest tournament the game has ever seen, and SBS is proud to bring every match live and free to Australians.
Our broadcast team combines World Cup experience, elite playing careers and deep football knowledge.
Together, they will guide the nation through every moment that matters.”
As the exclusive Australian broadcaster, SBS will deliver more than 550 hours of coverage, including every match live in HD, full replays, mini-matches and highlights across its platforms. A dedicated FIFA World Cup 2026 Hub will be available on SBS On Demand, while the SBS Sport website will feature tournament coverage including match information and video content.
Official broadcast partners for the tournament include Hyundai, Hisense, Macca’s, Rexona, bet365, Commonwealth Bank and Youi.
