Since the FIFA World Cup 2026 roared into life in North America last week, ITV pundit Emma Hayes has emerged as one of the tournament’s unexpected breakout stars. Based at the broadcaster’s eye-catching studio in New York City, the current United States women’s head coach has proved popular with audiences in the UK for her sharp tactical analysis.
During Spain’s shock goalless draw with minnows Cape Verde, she appeared on screen during the controversial hydration break to explain how the Blue Sharks were keeping La Roja’s star-studded attack at bay. She repeated the trick during England’s opening World Cup match on Wednesday, using a chalkboard to illustrate goalkeeper Jordan Pickford’s role in possession and how a series of quick passes unlocked Croatia ’s defence for Jude Bellingham’s crucial goal.
Hayes, 49, is likely to remain a prominent part of ITV’s coverage throughout the tournament – but who exactly is the woman behind some of the World Cup’s most insightful analysis?
Hayes’ route to the top has been more unconventional than most. Born in London, she played for Arsenal as a youth player before an ankle injury on a ski trip aged 17 ended her hopes of forging a professional career.
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With football ruled out, she took a bachelor’s degree European studies, Spanish and sociology at Liverpool Hope University College, before completing a master’s degree in intelligence and international affairs. After a spell coaching in London, she took charge of the Long Island Lady Riders in New York – becoming the youngest boss in the league in the process.
OPINION
She then spent two years with Iona Gaels before returning to England to become an assistant first team coach for Arsenal. After a trophy-laden three-year spell in north London, she headed stateside once again to manage Chicago Red Stars.
She then joined Chelsea in 2012, where she would go on to win seven FA Women’s Super League titles – including five in a row between 2019 and 2024. Since 2024, she has been head coach of the United States women’s national team.
View 3 ImagesEmma Hayes won seven league titles during a trophy-laden spell in charge at Chelsea(Image: Jacques Feeney/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
Hayes found herself at the centre of a row while managing Chelsea in 2024 after she slammed romantic relationships between players as “inappropriate”. Two of her players – Jess Carter and Ann-Katrin Berger – were in a relationship at the time, leaving an awkward atmosphere to linger around Stamford Bridge.
Carter even liked a tweet criticising the comments, leaving Hayes with little choice but to deliver a solemn apology.
“I let myself down,” she said. “I didn’t think it was right for me to use the term inappropriate for the players.” She added: “I’ve been unbelievably supportive of all of the players. I’ve been a champion for equality and for equity. As I keep saying to our players all the time, even if we have disagreements in life, we mustn’t play them out publicly.”
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When Emma Hayes lifted the FA Cup with Chelsea in May 2018, she should have been all smiles – especially as she was pregnant with twins. But, unbeknownst to many, Hayes was going through a traumatic ordeal after finding out shortly beforehand that one of her babies had died.
View 3 ImagesHayes suffered personal heartbreak before lifting the FA Cup with Chelsea(Image: Darren Walsh)
She became pregnant through IVF but learnt at her 20-week scan that one of the babies had complications. After the baby sadly died, Hayes kept the news to herself before telling her players after the FA Cup triumph.
Her surviving baby, Harry, was born in healthy condition.
As one of ITV’s top pundits for this summer’s World Cup, Hayes has been inundated with praise. But as is sadly the case with the world of social media, the plaudits have also been mixed with vile sexist abuse.
ITV has also faced a backlash for failing to support Hayes, leaving her with little more than a chalkboard to show off her analysis. Instead of benefitting from cutting-edge technology like her peers, Hayes has been forced to draw circles and crosses to represent players – described as “anachronistic” and “confusing” by commentators.
ITV has also been accused of “demeaning” the USA women’s boss by broadcasting her analysis from a set that looks similar to a kitchen. Some viewers questioned whether male pundits like Gary Neville or Roy Keane would receive the same treatment.
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