Half-time report: 11 best TV moments of the World Cup so far

At the tournament's midpoint, television coverage has delivered a string of memorable moments — from emotional upsets to comic detours and oddities off the pitch. Standout items have included moments of defiance, celebrity cameos, and scenes that caught viewers on and off camera.

Emma Hayes responded to online abuse by wearing a jacket that read “She will change the world,” and quipped: “Let’s focus on the game. I know that’s a challenge for some of us at home.” Gary Lineker, reveling in his new US work with Netflix, popped up as a surprise pundit on ITV and made a tongue-in-cheek on-air cameo before being cut off by host Laura Woods.

On Fox, Alexi Lalas provided a headline moment by dubbing James Corden a “full-kit wanker,” while Thierry Henry and Zlatan Ibrahimović declined to pass to him during an in-studio kickabout. Ally McCoist proved a hit for ITV with humour, enthusiasm and insight — and even inspired a drinking game, with a warning about severe tipsiness.

world cup, tv moments, emma hayes, gary lineker, james corden, alexi lalas, thierry henry, zlatan ibrahimović, ally mccoist, itv