Sam Matterface: the ITV voice of England's World Cup 2026 run and the controversy that followed him

Sam Matterface is once again the voice of England’s biggest moments, fronting ITV’s commentary for the 2026 World Cup as the Three Lions advance deep into the tournament.

The 48-year-old’s association with ITV stretches back more than a decade. He served as one of the network’s three main commentators at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, returned in the same capacity for Russia 2018, and has covered Euro 2016 and Euro 2020 in the role. His broader CV includes two Champions League finals, a European Championship final, and an FA Cup final — a résumé that places him among the most prominent voices in English football broadcasting.

Matterface first built his profile at Sky Sports News, where he presented from 2007 until 2010. It was during that spell that he met fellow sports presenter Natalie Sawyer; the pair married and had a son, Sawyer Matterface, before divorcing in 2014. He later married his current wife, Stef Matterface, in 2018.

For all the career highlights, Matterface has not been without controversy. His commentary during England’s Euro 2020 semi-final victory over Denmark — a 2-1 win that sent the Three Lions to the final — drew significant criticism after he urged viewers to call in sick for work and let their children stay up late to celebrate.

“I tell you what, if this comes off, you can do what you want tonight,” he said on air. “Kids you can stay up, don’t you dare go to bed. The rest of you call your boss, you ain’t coming in in the morning. You deserve this, England deserves this.”

The remarks, intended as light-hearted, prompted 68 Ofcom complaints. Viewers took to social media to label the comments “ridiculous” and “unprofessional”, with one writing that Matterface “talked far too much” and relied on “scripted comments”, while another described his post-match monologue as “all-time cringe”.

Matterface is next in the commentary box for England’s World Cup 2026 quarter-final against Norway on Saturday.