100 Days to Go: SBS Unveils World Class Team for The Greatest Show on Earth – The FIFA World Cup 2026™ – In 100 days, the biggest sporting event on the planet begins. The FIFA World Cup 2026™ will span 104 matches, across 16 cities in three countries, marking the largest tournament in the competition’s history.
As anticipation builds, SBS today reveals the world-class broadcast line-up that will guide Australians through every defining moment.
Leading the coverage are reputable football presenters Niav Owens and Claudio Fabiano, hosting from SBS’s Sydney studios. Both bring extensive football credentials and experience across the game’s biggest international tournaments, making them two of the most credible voices in Australian football broadcasting. Together, they anchor a team built on experience at the highest level of the global game.
Joining them in studio are two of Australia’s most accomplished footballers:
Harry Kewell, one of the finest Socceroos of all time, brings rare insight shaped on football’s biggest stages. A star of multiple FIFA World Cups™ and a Premier League standout with Leeds United and a Champions League winner with Liverpool, Kewell understands what it takes to perform with a nation watching. His analysis is grounded in decades competing against the world’s best.
“The FIFA World Cup is the pinnacle. There’s nothing else like it in football,”
– Harry Kewell said.
“I’ve experienced the intensity and pride of representing Australia on that stage, and it stays with you forever. With 100 days to go, you can already feel the anticipation building. This tournament will be bigger than anything we’ve seen before, and I’m looking forward to bringing Australians inside what it really takes to perform when the whole world is watching. When Australians think FIFA World Cup, they think SBS and it’s incredibly special to be part of that tradition as the tournament returns.”
Lydia Williams, a trailblazer of Australian football and one of the most respected goalkeepers of her era, adds depth and authority to SBS’s coverage. A Matildas mainstay for nearly two decades, Williams represented Australia at multiple FIFA Women’s World Cups™ and Olympic Games, witnessing first-hand the global rise of the women’s game. Her perspective combines elite tournament experience with leadership at the highest level of Australian sport.
“Playing at a World Cup changes you. At a World Cup, you’re not just playing for your team, you’re playing for everyone watching back home.”
– said Lydia Williams.
“It’s a moment when the whole country comes together, connected by the game. With 100 days to go, the excitement is real, and I’m thrilled to help Australians experience every moment. There’s something powerful about watching the FIFA World Cup together, and SBS has been at the heart of that shared experience for generations.”
Leading commentary for every Socceroos match, David Basheer returns with more than 35 years behind the microphone and nine FIFA World Cups across men’s and women’s tournaments. Few voices in Australian football broadcasting carry comparable tournament experience or connection to the national team.
Together, SBS’s team unites World Cup veterans, elite former internationals and contemporary football voices, with more special guests to be announced, to deliver sharp analysis, cultural insight and deep knowledge of the global game.
Ken Shipp, SBS’s Director of Sport said:
“Reaching 100 days to go marks a major milestone in the global sporting calendar, The FIFA World Cup 2026 will be the biggest tournament the game has ever seen, and SBS is proud to bring every match live and free to Australians. Our broadcast team combines World Cup experience, elite playing careers and deep football knowledge. Together, they will guide the nation through every moment that matters.”
As the exclusive Australian broadcaster of the FIFA World Cup 2026TM, SBS will deliver more than 550 hours of coverage, including every match live in HD, full replays, mini-matches and highlights. Australians can also follow the Socceroos’ campaign with exclusive content and in-depth analysis. David Basheer will also host a daily SBS On Demand vodcast, dedicated entirely to the Socceroos, running every day they remain in the tournament.
On SBS On Demand, the dedicated FIFA World Cup 2026TM Hub will serve as the central destination for live streaming, catch-up replays / mini matches / extended highlights, plus classic matches and more. Complementing the tournament coverage is FIFA+, a dedicated FAST channel featuring around-the-clock global football content from both the men’s and women’s game. The SBS Sport website will feature a special FIFA World Cup 2026™ takeover, including an interactive match centre, updated broadcast information, opinion, match highlights / other short-form video, and promotion of our SBS News / SBS On Demand offerings.
Hyundai, Hisense, Macca’s, Rexona, bet365, Commonwealth Bank and Youi will support the 2026 FIFA World Cup™ as SBS official broadcast partners.
The FIFA World Cup 2026™ kicks off on June 12 (AEST) running until July 20, with all 104 games live and free on SBS, SBS Viceland and SBS on Demand.
For further information and interview requests with SBS football experts, please contact:
Milly Palmer | milly.palmer@sbs.com.au | +61 406 348 248
TALENT BIOS:
Niav Owens, Football Presenter
Niav Owens is one of Australia’s leading voices in football broadcasting, with nearly two decades of experience covering the game at every level.
Niav has hosted and reported on some of football’s biggest stages, from the FIFA World Cup on SBS in 2022, to multiple FIFA Women’s World Cups for Optus Sport, the Asian Cup in Doha for BeIN Sports, and a number of UEFA European Championships.
Niav has been a Host and Reporter on Matildas and Socceroos internationals on Network 10 for a number of years, as well as working on 10’s coverage of domestic football in Australia through the A-Leagues. Niav started her media career with the ABC in both radio and television; working on major sporting events like the Olympic and Paralympic Games in London, Rugby World Cups in London and Japan, the Invictus Games in Sydney, and hosting the ABC’s flagship sports program, National Grandstand on ABC Radio.
Claudio Fabiano, Football Presenter
Claudio Fabiano is a 29-year-old sports TV presenter, semi-Professional footballer & media studio entrepreneur.
His media career began during a rough time in his sporting career where he became one of the youngest people in Australia with a new-age hip resurfacing implant at just 24. His content on TikTok during that time helped him grow to over 120K followers on the platform, which not only opened the door to working with some of the biggest brands and sporting events, but also getting his foot in the door at the major football broadcasters in Australia. Since then, Claudes became the live broadcast host for Optus Sport’s coverage of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 and UEFA Euro 2024, hosted ‘World Cup Daily’ for SBS during the 2022 FIFA Men’s World Cup, had his own weekly football show on beIN Sports for three seasons, worked directly with the Premier League in the UK and in 2023, hosted the first ever official ESports Olympics for the IOC in Singapore.
He balances his on-screen duties with his co-ownership of a Creative Studio in Sydney, ‘I Want It Yesterday’, and as captain of the UNSW Football Club competing in the National Premier Leagues NSW, the highest semi-Pro level of football in Australia. Now, building up to his biggest role yet for the FIFA World Cup 2026, Claudes hosted the ‘Weekly Football Wrap’ magazine show and the ‘Super Saturday’ live show for SBS, establishing himself as the lead football presenter for Australia’s home of the world game.
Harry Kewell, Football Analyst
Harry Kewell was awarded Australia’s greatest ever footballer and remains one of the country’s most decorated players. He enjoyed a distinguished playing career with Leeds United, Liverpool and Galatasaray, winning the UEFA Champions League and representing the Socceroos at two FIFA World Cups.
Since moving into coaching, Kewell has built an impressive international resume. He was part of the coaching staff at Celtic during their treble-winning season under Ange Postecoglou and Brendan Rodgers, and most recently guided Yokohama F. Marinos to the AFC Champions League final. Currently a head coach in Asia, Kewell brings a global perspective and elite-level experience to SBS’s World Cup coverage.
Lydia Williams, Football Analyst
Lydia Williams is a former Australian professional soccer player renowned for her exceptional skills as a goalkeeper. Born in the Australian outback, she has carved out a remarkable career both domestically and internationally.
Her journey in professional soccer began with the Australian W-League where she quickly established herself as one of the most reliable goalkeepers in the league, earning accolades and recognition for her consistent performances between the posts.
Internationally, Lydia Williams has been a stalwart for the Australian national team. She debuted for the Matildas 20 years ago and was first selected for a Women’s World Cup in 2007, and was ever-present as women’s football grew and grew during her time at the top. She has represented Australia in numerous FIFA Women’s World Cup tournaments and Olympic Games, showcasing her talents against the best teams in the world. Off the pitch, she became one of Australia’s most respected voices for player advocacy.
In May 2024, she announced her retirement from International Football where she represented the Matildas one final time before the Paris 2024 Olympics.
She currently sits on the board of the Australian Sports Commission and was recently awarded the Alex Tobin OAM Medal in recognition of her extraordinary contribution to Australian football and her long-standing leadership within the player movement. This PFA honour is awarded to a player who exemplifies the four qualities embodied by Alex Tobin: leadership, achievement as a player, commitment to fellow professionals, and service and dedication to the game.
Beyond her on-field achievements, she is an accomplished children’s book author and is recognised for her leadership qualities and dedication to promoting women’s soccer, inspiring the next generation of players in Australia and beyond.
In addition to welcoming her beautiful little boy Coen earlier this year, Lydia will soon be joining the SBS commentary team for the upcoming FIFA 2026 World Cup.
David Basheer, Commentator / Reporter on location
A Commentator, Presenter and Reporter, David Basheer’s media career spans over 40 years and includes 11 FIFA World Cups (6 Men’s & 5 Women’s), the UEFA Champions League, FA Cup, the Asian Cup and 6 Olympic Games. David started calling National Soccer League matches for the ABC in 1989. His first appearance on SBS was to provide commentary on Olympic qualifying matches in 1995. David would go on to call NSL and A-League football on SBS. David worked on SBS’s France 98 World Cup coverage.
In 2002 for the World Cup in Japan & Korea, David hosted the “World Cup Today” show on ESPN Star Sports across Asia. At the 2010, 2014, 2018 & 2022 FIFA World Cups, David was a lead commentator from South Africa, Brazil, Russia & Qatar for SBS. He became the first Australian to commentate a World Cup final in the 2010 showpiece between Spain and the Netherlands in Johannesburg.
David has called four UEFA Champions League finals for SBS, an FA Cup final from the famed Wembley Stadium, Confederations Cup and numerous World Youth Cups.
David provided commentary for SBS at the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup in France which included calling the final in Lyon. In 2023 he was the lead commentator for the Seven network’s coverage of the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia which attracted a record viewing audience for the Matildas’ historic semi-final against England.
Media Release – SBS
Link to SBS on Demand HERE
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100 Days to Go: SBS Unveils World Class Team for The Greatest Show on Earth – The FIFA World Cup 2026™
