For the next six weeks, ITV viewers will become familiar with Christina Unkel — the former FIFA-licenced referee turned broadcast analyst who is on hand to break down the big refereeing calls at World Cup 2026.

Unkel wasted no time making her presence felt. The opening fixture between hosts Mexico and South Africa, which saw referee Wilton Sampaio produce three red cards, gave her plenty of material to work with from the very first day of the tournament.

From grassroots to global stages

Unkel's relationship with the whistle began at the age of 10. She went on to earn a FIFA licence and spent years officiating women's international matches across the world, as well as taking charge of fixtures in the top United States leagues.

After stepping away from active refereeing, she transitioned into broadcasting, making her debut as a VAR analyst during the Women's World Cup in 2019 alongside Fox. She has since built a reputation as one of the sharpest voices in refereeing analysis, contributing columns to The Athletic and CBS Sports on topics ranging from the laws of the game to broader legal matters.

A familiar face on ITV

UK audiences first encountered Unkel during Euro 2024, when she joined ITV's tournament coverage as a refereeing expert. Her clear, methodical approach earned her a return invitation — and this summer she occupies the same seat for World Cup 2026.

In a 2023 interview with the LA Times, Unkel was candid about her philosophy. Her role, she explained, is not to defend referees by default, but to illuminate their decision-making process.