Samuel Umtiti joins M6 as pundit for 2026 World Cup coverage
French broadcaster M6 has confirmed that 2018 World Cup winner Samuel Umtiti will join its team as a lead pundit for its coverage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The announcement was made by M6 group president David Larramendy in an interview with L’Équipe on Friday, detailing the channel's plans for the tournament, for which it holds the broadcast rights to 54 matches.
Umtiti will form part of a dedicated commentary trio for France's matches, working alongside former midfielder Benoît Cheyrou and commentator Xavier Domergue, with Virginie Sainsily reporting from the touchline. According to Larramendy, the former Barcelona and Lyon defender will also partner with commentator Julien Brun for other selected fixtures throughout the competition.
The move marks a significant post-playing career step for Umtiti, whose time at Barcelona was heavily impacted by a persistent knee injury. The 30-year-old centre-back, who scored the winning goal in France's 2018 World Cup semi-final against Belgium, is currently without a club after his contract with Lille expired last summer. His experience at the highest level, including 31 caps for France, provides M6 with a recent champion's perspective for its flagship coverage.
M6 had also approached current France internationals Antoine Griezmann and Olivier Giroud for roles, but scheduling conflicts prevented their involvement. Larramendy explained that the ongoing professional commitments of active players made full tournament availability difficult. Instead, the channel has secured another World Cup winner, 1998 champion Alain Boghossian, who will feature in a daily evening show on RTL, M6's sister radio station.
Umtiti and Boghossian have worked together since September 2025, suggesting a prepared on-air partnership. For M6, securing Umtiti represents a coup in the competitive landscape of football broadcasting, adding a modern, recognizable face to its analytical team. For Umtiti, the role offers a high-profile platform in media as he transitions away from his playing days, keeping him closely connected to the international game.
