Wright has become one of the most recognisable voices in football television. He brings range:
That matters at a tournament as sprawling as the World Cup. Broadcasters want pundits who can shift from analysis to emotion, from tactical breakdowns to broader storylines. Wright has long offered that mix, and his presence alongside names such as Gary Neville, Roy Keane, Patrick Vieira and Emma Hayes points to a panel built around familiarity and strong on-air personalities.
Aluko missing from the reported line-up is notable because she has been a prominent voice in football media and has worked major tournaments before. Her absence will inevitably be read through the lens of that earlier dispute with Wright, even if broadcasters often reshape teams from one competition to the next.
The larger issue is not one booking alone. It is the constant tension in football coverage between experience, profile and representation. Major tournaments are still where those arguments become most visible.
The likely strategy is clear: go big, go familiar, go debate-heavy. A World Cup demands instant recognition, and ITV appears to be backing heavyweight names who can carry the biggest nights.
The next point to watch is how that team is deployed once the tournament begins - especially on England nights, when scrutiny of both selection and studio chemistry will be at its sharpest.