Veteran commentator dropped from World Cup coverage over ‘unacceptable’ error

17 Jun 2026 • 10:59 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

Veteran commentator dropped from World Cup coverage over ‘unacceptable’ error

  • A Turkish state broadcaster, TRT, removed a commentator from its World Cup coverage after he mistakenly identified the Iran and New Zealand teams during a live broadcast.
  • The commentator, named by Turkish media as Murat Ekrem Çimen, was withdrawn from the US World Cup broadcast team pending an investigation and will not continue for the tournament.
  • TRT described the error as "unacceptable" and apologised to viewers for the mistake made by someone with over 30 years of experience.
  • The Group G match between Iran and New Zealand ended in a 2-2 draw, with Iran twice coming from behind to secure a point.
  • Iran's head coach, Amir Ghalenoei, stated his team was the "most oppressed" at the World Cup, citing disrupted build-up and difficult travel arrangements between their Mexico base and US match venues.

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