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'I Wouldn't Do It Again But...': Harsha Bhogle Reflects On Covering FIFA World Cup 20 Years Ago, Calls It One Of His Proudest Broadcasting Moments
24htopnews | June 12, 2026 10:09 PM CST

Indian commentator Harsha Bhogle reflected on hosting the FIFA World Cup, calling it one of the proudest moments of his broadcasting career. In a post on X, he recalled a month of preparation, overnight work schedules in Singapore, and hosting every match. Bhogle also thanked his production team and pundit Gerry Armstrong for their support.

As the FIFA World Cup 2026 gets underway, renowned Indian commentator Harsha Bhogle took a trip down memory lane, recalling his experience of hosting football's biggest tournament two decades ago. In a heartfelt post on X, Bhogle described the assignment as both his most challenging and one of his proudest achievements in broadcasting.

Bhogle revealed that he hosted the FIFA World Cup at a time when the broadcasting rights were limited to India. With a large section of viewers being casual football followers, he said the network wanted an Indian face who could provide local context and connect with the audience. The role required extensive preparation, including nearly a month of research before the tournament began.

The veteran broadcaster detailed the demanding schedule he followed during the event. Based in Singapore, he worked through the night, hosted every single match, and often returned to his hotel around 5:30 a.m. After grabbing breakfast, he would sleep until the afternoon before heading back to the studio to repeat the routine. "Every single day," Bhogle recalled, highlighting the intensity of the assignment.

Bhogle also acknowledged the support he received from his production team and football experts during the tournament. He expressed special gratitude to former Northern Ireland international Gerry Armstrong, whom he described as an outstanding pundit. According to Bhogle, he approached the broadcasts with curiosity and the belief that much of the audience knew only as much about football as he did, allowing him to ask questions and learn along the way.


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