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Kelly Cates discusses World Cup concerns ahead of tournament

The Guardian Sport • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 8, 2026, 7:00 PM

Last updated Jun 8, 2026

Kelly Cates discusses World Cup concerns ahead of tournament

Summary

Kelly Cates, a BBC TV and radio presenter, shares insights on challenges facing players at the upcoming World Cup, highlighting worries about humidity and altitude. As she prepares for her fifth World Cup, she emphasizes traditional perspectives on the tournament amidst concerns about shifting its essence, particularly regarding U.S. approaches to hosting. Cates expresses ambivalence about potential alterations to what has historically been a monumental event. The tournament approaches with various political and environmental factors continuing to be a topic of conversation.

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The Guardian Sport

Key Details

•Kelly Cates prepares for her fifth World Cup as a presenter.
•Concerns include humidity and altitude impacting players.
•She highlights traditional views on the tournament's essence.
•Cates addresses potential political issues surrounding the event.
•The World Cup's start date is approaching amid ongoing discussions.

Latest Updates

7:00 PMThe Guardian Sport — ‘We’re going to be in an unreal, mad World Cup time zone’: Kelly Cates on presenting in Salford at 2am

What they're saying

"
BBC TV and radio host on sportswashing, the brilliance of watching Argentina up close and why Donald Trump won’t be able to hijack the football glory “Before every tournament there are always concerns,” Kelly Cates says as she approaches her fifth World Cup as a television and radio presenter. “There’s always something everybody’s worried about. This time I worry about the humidity and the altitude for the players and there are political concerns, obviously. “But there are also concerns that it’s not going to feel like a World Cup. In the US, they probably see that as a good thing. They probably see it as: ‘We’re going to make it better.’ Whereas we’re looking at it from a more traditional point of view, thinking: ‘Why are you going to change something that’s so amazing in the first place?’” Continue reading...
— The Guardian Sportby Donald McRae

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The Guardian SportJun 8, 2026, 7:00 PM
‘We’re going to be in an unreal, mad World Cup time zone’: Kelly Cates on presenting in Salford at 2am
BBC TV and radio host on sportswashing, the brilliance of watching Argentina up close and why Donald Trump won’t be able to hijack the football glory “Before every tournament there are always concerns,” Kelly Cates says as she approaches her fifth World Cup as a television and radio presenter. “There’s always something everybody’s worried about. This time I worry about the humidity and the altitude for the players and there are political concerns, obviously. “But there are also concerns that it’s not going to feel like a World Cup. In the US, they probably see that as a good thing. They probably see it as: ‘We’re going to make it better.’ Whereas we’re looking at it from a more traditional point of view, thinking: ‘Why are you going to change something that’s so amazing in the first place?’” Continue reading...

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