From Laura Wontorra to Almuth Schult: These 5 women will be in focus at the 2026 World Cup
The stars of the 2026 World Cup don’t just wear jerseys. While the footballers in the USA, Canada and Mexico fight for the title, Laura Wontorra, Almuth Schult and Esther Sedlaczek follow the tournament in front of the cameras.
When the Football World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico attracts millions of fans to their screens in the summer of 2026, attention will not only focus on the stars on the pitch. The TV reporting also relies on strong personalities who lead through exciting games, emotional moments and big tournament stories.
These women will shape the 2026 World Cup
ARD, ZDF and other broadcasters rely on experienced presenters and experts who impress with their specialist knowledge, charm and authentic analysis. From well-known TV faces to former professional footballers: these five women are among the defining faces of the 2026 World Cup.
#1 Laura Wontorra
Next to Johannes B. Kerner is Laura Wontorra the second lead presenter of MagentaTV. At the 2026 World Cup, she will provide pre- and post-game coverage. Wontorra’s new friend is also one of the most sought-after sports presenters in the country: 34-year-old Riccardo Basile has been presenting for Sky Deutschland since August 2017.
#2 Almuth Schult
The former goalkeeper may have given up her career as a footballer in 2025, but she hasn’t turned her back on the sport completely. Almuth Schult is currently working as a soccer expert and will be present at the 2026 World Cup for ARD.
#3 Esther Sedlaczek
Esther Sedlaczek will report directly from stadiums in the USA, Canada and Mexico as an ARD live presenter. From football reporting? The 40-year-old has long since become indispensable. From 2011 to 2021 she worked as a presenter on Sky. She has also moderated the UEFA Champions League, the UEFA Europa League and the Sportschau Club.
#4 Leah Wagner
For Leah Wagner The 2026 World Cup is likely to be a particularly exciting game. The presenter not only moderates the evening World Cup broadcasts from the ARD studio in Cologne, she is also currently pregnant with her first child. How exciting! The 31-year-old will then go on maternity leave.
#5 Katrin Müller-Hohenstein
No sports reporting without it Katrin Müller-Hohenstein! The 60-year-old has been ZDF’s figurehead when it comes to sports for decades. She will moderate the central broadcast again. Overall, Müller-Hohenstein can now look back on a twenty-year career as a sports journalist.
