FIFA World Cup 2026 fans slam 'annoying' celeb cameo minutes into ITV coverage

ITV viewers were left fuming just minutes into its FIFA World Cup 2026 coverage as the broadcaster introduced two surprise guests to its pre-match studio. England were preparing to face Panama at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, with the match kicking off at 10pm UK time and 5pm US time.

Having already secured their place in the last 32 following victories over Croatia and Ghana earlier in the week, England supporters were in high spirits ahead of the fixture. However, the mood soon soured when presenter Laura Woods welcomed I'm A Celebrity hosts Ant McPartlin and Dec Donnelly to ITV's New York studio, quizzing them on their thoughts about the game and their fondest World Cup memories.

The appearance sparked an immediate backlash on social media, with countless viewers threatening to switch off coverage altogether. One disgruntled fan posted: "Ant and Dec FFS I'll switch back on at 9.55", while another commented: "Ant and Dec appeared I switched to Five Live". A third remarked: "Ant and Dec being interviewed during the World Cup may be the strangest thing I've seen during this whole event."

Further criticism flooded in, with one supporter declaring: "Surely they could have got better than ant and dec for the World Cup so annoying", and another questioning: "No football people available tonight?" Another viewer sarcastically added: "I was just saying to myself We really don't see Ant and Dec on the tellybox enough."

Not all viewers shared the sentiment, however. One supporter defended the award-winning ITV pair, insisting: "Ant and Dec are much better than Neville and carragher."

England's most recent fixture saw them draw 0-0 with Ghana at the Gillette Stadium in Boston. Elsewhere, Scotland secured a 1-0 victory over Haiti in their opening World Cup 2026 match, though they have since suffered defeats to both Morocco and Brazil.