From Watford to the World Cup

It’s a dream come true for announcer Emma Saunders.

No matter what happens at the World Cup final in Moscow, Russia, on 15 July, there will be at least one English person playing a key role in the match.

Emma Saunders has been chosen as the official matchday announcer. She will read the players’ names out to the stadium before the game kicks off, as well as updating fans on substitutions and other in-game announcements.

Saunders usually works as the matchday announcer for Premier League team Watford. She is the only female announcer in the English top division. “This really is a dream come true,” Saunders said. “It’s incredible. I could not be more proud and thrilled.”

As well as working as a sports journalist for the BBC, Saunders has already been a matchday announcer at several World Cup games. She announced the England team before they won 4-3 on penalties against Colombia and at previous matches in the Kaliningrad Stadium. At first, she thought she would only be needed for the group stages but was delighted when she was asked to stay for the knockout phases of the competition.

“Who would have thought it?” she said. “From Watford to the World Cup final? It’s an amazing opportunity.” She said she was grateful to Watford for giving her a chance to be the first female stadium announcer in the Premier League and said it was that opportunity that led her to the World Cup final in Moscow.