'It's a bit windy, isn't it, Laura Woods?' Hefty gusts strike and threaten to smash ITV's World Cup coverage set

Published: 21:55, 18 June 2026 | Updated: 21:58, 18 June 2026 ITV has received high praise for its stunning World Cup studio set in front of the Brooklyn Bridge and the New York skyline. However, presenters had to face the elements of the open-air set as hefty gusts threatened to tear the set apart. Ahead of the match between Switzerland and Bosnia and Herzegovina this evening, Laura Woods was joined by Juan Mata, Patrick Vieira and Karen Carney in the New York set. As gusts hit the studio, Juan Mata's T-shirt could be seen flapping in the wind and a windswept Woods kept her cool to brush her hair out of the way to read her autocue. In the background, various clattering noises could be heard, leading fans to fear the set could be 'falling apart' in the wind. It was not the first time the weather caused an issue in the studio. Last week, presenter Mark Pougatch and pundit Ian Wright were forced to secure their notes as blustery conditions threatened to blow them away. Laura Woods battled the elements as she hosted ITV's coverage of Switzerland vs Bosnia and Herzegovina Juan Mata's T-shirt could also be seen flapping in the windy conditions in the New York studio The ITV presenter and pundits faced blustery conditions from their rooftop studio in Brooklyn Viewers took to social media to raise concerns for the hosts and the ITV team or complain about the effect on the coverage. One wrote: 'It's quite funny that after a week of people raving about ITV having a nice World Cup coverage view, it's now so windy that it's become borderline unwatchable.' Another added: 'can ITV sort out the sound or go where it's not windy. The stuff clattering about is distracting' One user wrote: 'The ITV studio covering the World Cup nearly takes off with strong winds live on air!'  'The wind in the ITV studio is hilarious. Sounds like the place is completely falling apart in the background,' someone said. The broadcaster had been praised for its on-location studio, while BBC presenters have been forced to stay at home in Salford.  'Welcome to our New York loft apartment, home for six weeks of coverage of the World Cup,' said Mark Pougatch, ITV anchor in the first broadcast at the New York set.  'We hope you will love this view as much as we do, a view of the buildings of lower Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridge. 'You are thinking it must be AI; I promise you it is real.' Roy Keane and Ian Wright both praised the location, with the latter lauding ITV's decision to invest in a grand studio to fit the occasion of the World Cup. 'Amazing, fantastic,' Keane said. Wright added: 'It's amazing, unbelievable set. It's the World Cup, it should be this, it should be grand, massive.' ITV bosses went to extraordinary lengths to create what they hoped would be a showpiece set for the World Cup. ITV pundits in their studio for the World Cup, with a stunning view of the New York skyline They spent almost two years scouting locations before settling on a rooftop at Panorama Brooklyn Studios. Producers even built a raised structure to ensure iconic landmarks appeared in exactly the right places behind presenters. Speaking before the tournament, ITV Sport executive director Paul McNamara told Wales Online the aim was to give viewers something special. 'The World Cup's the biggest show in the world,' he explained. 'I'm trying to take the viewer to the event and say, "This is what it feels like".' Mr McNamara admitted before the tournament that he had been concerned about the weather conditions, saying he had become 'an amateur meteorologist' while preparing for the competition.  ITV has contingency plans if conditions become dangerous, with windows which can be deployed to block the studio from wind and rain. There is also an indoor studio, which is an emergency fallback option if the rooftop becomes unsafe due to storms.  ITV has been contacted for comment.  No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. To do this we will link your MailOnline account with your Facebook account. We’ll ask you to confirm this for your first post to Facebook. You can choose on each post whether you would like it to be posted to Facebook. Your details from Facebook will be used to provide you with tailored content, marketing and ads in line with our Privacy Policy.