170-strong operation planned for 2026 World Cup coverage | OneFootball

According to L'Équipe, the group has unveiled an extensive plan for its 2026 World Cup coverage in North America, 11 June to 19 July, spanning reports, video, a podcast, a documentary and 165 hours of live television. A total of 170 staff will work across the newspaper, website and channel.

It recently passed 300,000 digital subscribers, up 18% since the start of the year, a rise credited to content and partnerships with Ligue 1+ and Eurosport. The group hopes the World Cup will bring in more.

Twenty-two special correspondents will be deployed in the USA, Canada and Mexico, including six dedicated to France’s team, with print deadlines extended to 2.15am for Les Bleus’ matches. The plan includes 500 print pages and about 60 digital pieces per day, supported overnight from Boulogne-Billancourt.

A daily podcast, L’Équipe du Mondial, hosted by Marie-Amélie Motte, will follow news and behind-the-scenes stories, while Bixente Lizarazu offers pre and post-match analysis in L’œil de Liza. Magazine editions arrive on 10 and 17 June, France Football on 13 June, plus a World Cup guide on 5 June and the 9 juillet 2006 documentary on 2 June.

The TV channel will counter-programme around the 54 free-to-air matches on M6, filling unused slots and appearing near kick-off and at half-time. It will also air the 24 Heures du Mans on 13-14 June and the Tour de Suisse on 17-21 June featuring Tadej Pogacar.

Schedules are reshaped, with L’Équipe de choc from 11am, L’Équipe de Greg at 16:00 or 18:00, and L’Équipe du Soir at 21:00, 22:00 or 23:00. Coverage will be fronted by France Pierron, Grégory Ascher and others, with consultants such as Jérôme Alonzo and Djibril Cissé, and Jérémy Jeanningros plus Giovanni Castaldi reporting on site.

Source: L'Équipe