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[MyDaily = Reporter Han So-hee] Can rookie broadcaster Jeon Hyun-moo be KBS’s decisive card? KBS has thrown its hat into the World Cup broadcast race, banking on Lee Young-pyo’s tactical acumen and Jeon Hyun-moo’s on-air personality.
On June 2 at the KBS Art Hall in Yeongdeungpo, Seoul, KBS held a press conference to unveil its coverage plan for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America. Lee Young-pyo, Jeon Hyun-moo and Nam Hyun-jong attended and outlined their broadcast direction and commitment.
With the tournament just nine days away, KBS is ramping up full-scale preparations. Headlined by broadcaster Jeon Hyun-moo, analyst Lee Young-pyo and announcer Nam Hyun-jong, KBS will promote its coverage under the slogan “Unite Korea! The World Cup is KBS.”
The 2026 tournament, co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, expands to 48 teams and includes a record 104 matches. After finalizing rights negotiations with JTBC, KBS joined the broadcast lineup. Its commentary team will feature analysts Lee Young-pyo, Park Chu-young, Kim Shin-wook, Cho Won-hee, Park Chan-ha and Jung Woo-won, with casters Nam Hyun-jong, Jeon Hyun-moo, Lee Jae-hoo, Lee Young-ho, Kim Jong-hyun and Kim Jin-woong on duty.
Lee Young-pyo, returning as a World Cup analyst after eight years, said he brings both player experience and a fan’s perspective. “I played at the World Cup, and since retiring I’ve supported the national team as a fan,” he said. “I want to offer commentary that honestly connects what happens on the pitch with viewers. My goal is warm, responsible coverage grounded in careful judgment and genuine affection for the team.”
On his pairing with Jeon, Lee added it’s a caster style he’s never experienced in his football career and that viewers should expect a fresh take on World Cup coverage.
The standout personality at the event was Jeon Hyun-moo. The recent KBS Entertainment Award winner has reunited with his longtime network for this massive sporting event.
Jeon, accepting a World Cup broadcast offer for the first time in 12 years, said he had turned down similar offers since 2014 because he didn’t feel it was his domain. “This year marks my 20th anniversary at KBS, and I wanted to do my part to help rekindle World Cup excitement,” he explained. He added that he hopes to recreate the sense of national unity seen in 2002 and plans to cover any shortcomings with energy and a celebratory tone.
On his strengths, Jeon was candid. “World Cup coverage typically centers on soccer experts,” he said. “I’m not a soccer obsessive — I actually prefer baseball — so I can voice the questions that viewers who aren’t soccer experts want answered.”
The remark that drew the biggest laugh was about the Entertainment Awards. “I’m not ruling out winning the KBS Entertainment Award two years running,” Jeon admitted. “Honestly, I think this year’s award is tied to how we perform on the World Cup broadcast. You have to put in a strong performance to be recognized. Ratings need to be solid and the national team has to do well. I’m like Coach Hong Myung-bo: if the team succeeds, people will forgive my shortcomings.”
Lee joked that if Jeon doesn’t win the Entertainment Award, he might be to blame. “This might be the first World Cup where we actually care about ratings,” Lee quipped, prompting laughter across the room.
Discussing the competition with JTBC’s pairing of caster Bae Sung-jae and analyst Park Ji-sung, Jeon said that without him the matchup would be experts versus experts. “The one unique difference is that Jeon Hyun-moo is here,” he said with a laugh. “I’ll represent the perspective of casual viewers and ask the questions they would ask. The World Cup attracts many viewers beyond hardcore fans, and I want to speak for that broader audience.”
The panel also weighed in on South Korea’s prospects. Lee offered a cautious outlook that included a Round of 16 appearance. Jeon and Nam were bolder. Jeon singled out Lee Ki-hyuk for his accurate left foot, passing and stamina, saying, “Reaching the Round of 16 is certainly possible, and I cautiously expect we could make the quarterfinals.”
Nam added, “I think Bae Jun-ho will shine at the World Cup. Personally, I really want to see Korea reach its first-ever away-quarterfinal.”
When ratings came up, Lee admitted he normally doesn’t focus heavily on viewer numbers, but joked this time is different because Jeon’s Entertainment Award is at stake. Jeon replied that his weightlifting broadcast during the Paris Olympics hit No. 1 in ratings and he hopes to post strong numbers again. “I want both broadcasters to do well, but I’d like KBS to be just a hair ahead — that could help my award chances,” he said.
The trio closed with messages for the national team. Lee emphasized that great broadcasts follow great matches. “I hope the players show their best. We’ll give everything in our coverage to cheer them on,” he said. Jeon downplayed the award talk as a joke and said, “Even if I take flak, it’s worth it if the national team performs well. Korea reaching the quarterfinals matters far more than any personal accolade.”
The 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America runs from June 11 to July 19 and will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
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