BBC Sport has announced a new promotional campaign that will see three officially signed World Cup footballs up for grabs among its online audience.
How the predictor game works
Participants are invited to play a short, football‑themed game on the BBC Sport website. Once they finish, a simple form appears where they can submit their name, email and country of residence. Completing the form automatically enters them into a series of prize draws that will be conducted at predetermined stages of the tournament.
The footballs on offer are not ordinary replicas; each bears the autograph of a notable figure from the sport. The signatories include former Arsenal and Manchester City defender Gael Clichy, broadcaster Kelly Cates, England legend Alan Shearer, Micah Richards, goalkeeper Joe Hart, former England captain Wayne Rooney, forward Ellen White and Lionesses star Steph Houghton. Their combined fame reflects the breadth of football’s cultural impact, from men’s to women’s games.
Draws will be held during the group stage, the round of 32, the round of 16, the quarter‑finals, the semi‑finals and finally the championship match itself. This timing ensures that winners are announced at the most visible moments of the tournament, heightening excitement across the globe.
BBC Sport says the initiative is designed to deepen fan interaction with the World Cup while celebrating the personalities who have shaped its history. By linking the prize draws to key match milestones, the broadcaster hopes to create a shared sense of anticipation that resonates with viewers in the United States and beyond.