Chelsea World Cup winner Cesc Fàbregas has been signed up by BBC Sport for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
The Spaniard helped his country win the 2010 World Cup, providing the assist for Andrés Iniesta’s winner. Fabregas will make his first studio appearance for the June 15 blockbuster between Portugal and Spain.
Head of TV Sport Philip Bernie said: “We are delighted to welcome Cesc, as he joins our star-studded team of experts in Russia. As a World Cup winner, he knows what it takes to lift the biggest prize in the sport, and we are greatly looking forward to the world class football knowledge and insight he will add to our coverage.”
Fàbregas, who was also part of the Spain teams that won Euro 2008 and 2012, joins Alan Shearer, Frank Lampard, Rio Ferdinand, Jurgen Klinsmann, Didier Drogba and Pablo Zabaleta on the BBC punditry team.
The opening weekend on the BBC will see Egypt v Uruguay, Portugal v Spain, Germany v Mexico and France v Australia.
England’s opening two games are also live and exclusive on the BBC, with Gareth Southgate’s men facing Tunisia (Monday 18 June, 1900) and Panama (Sunday 24 June, 1300).
All BBC games are broadcast on BBC One, BBC Two or BBC Four, and Mark Chapman and Kelly Cates lead Radio 5 live coverage from every game.
