2026 World Cup: No Backtracking—Rai Awards the Final to Adani (and Rimedio)

Lele Adani will be the second commentator for the 2026 World Cup final on Rai. The former defender, now a regular presence at the national team’s big matches and major international competitions, will provide commentary on the tournament’s final match alongside Alberto Rimedio. The decision was made official by Rai, which has finalized the assignments for the World Cup’s final matches. The Rimedio-Adani duo will first cover the semifinal between Argentina and England, scheduled for Wednesday, July 15, at 9 p.m. at Atlanta Stadium in Atlanta, and then the championship match on Sunday, July 19, at 9 p.m., which will be played in New York.

First, however, attention turns to the other semifinal, between France and Spain, scheduled for tonight at 9 p.m. at Dallas Stadium in Arlington. Commentating on the match between the tournament’s two top favorites will be Stefano Bizzotto and Andrea Stramaccioni, a duo that has covered much of the World Cup’s journey. For Bizzotto, this will be the final World Cup broadcast of his career—his ninth World Cup covered for RAI. The journalist will thus bring to a close a long journey that has made him one of the most beloved faces of soccer commentary on television.

The third-place match, scheduled for Saturday, July 18, at 11 p.m. in Miami, will be covered by Luca De Capitani and German Denis. With his selection for the third-place match, Adani reaffirms his status as a leading voice in the coverage of major international matches. After having followed the Italian national team in recent years and commentated on major soccer events, he will be the one to experience the final act of the 2026 World Cup from the virtual sidelines, joining Alberto Rimedio in covering the match that will decide the world title.