Giroud slammed by viewers as BBC World Cup punditry debut divides opinion

Olivier Giroud’s transition from professional footballer to television pundit has got off to a turbulent start, with a significant portion of BBC viewers calling for the 39-year-old to be removed from the broadcaster’s World Cup panel after his contributions during the opening phase of the tournament.

Giroud, who won the World Cup with France in 2018 and remains registered with Lille, sits alongside a panel that includes Micah Richards, Wayne Rooney, Joe Hart, Cesar Azpilicueta, Thomas Frank and Lucas Leiva. Delivering analysis in his second language, the former Arsenal and Chelsea forward has struggled to win over audiences, with criticism reaching a peak following Belgium’s draw with Egypt.

“Whoever it was at the BBC that thought that Olivier Giroud could be a pundit has made a disastrous decision. He’s absolutely abysmal,” wrote one viewer. Another added: “I guarantee that I will never learn anything from Olivier Giroud’s analysis. Punditry just isn’t for you mate.”

One viewer also flagged a factual error during Giroud’s Belgium coverage, noting that he referenced Lois Openda as a potential substitute — a player who was not selected in Belgium’s World Cup squad.

Not all feedback has been negative, however. A section of the audience has defended Giroud, arguing that his analysis is substantive even if his delivery lacks the energy associated with modern punditry. “Giroud is a fantastic, fantastic pundit, sorry he doesn’t fit the modern, gag-every-30-second model,” one viewer wrote in his defence. Another offered a more sympathetic reading: “He’s giving actually good analysis but he’s got a bit of a monotone voice. Maybe nerves?”

The mixed reception underlines the challenge facing former players who move into broadcasting, particularly when doing so in a second language and under the scrutiny of a major international tournament audience.