As one of Australia’s most well-known sports commentators, David Basheer has spent decades bringing some of the world’s biggest sporting moments to life.
Next year, he’ll return to the global stage to commentate Socceroos matches at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, his 12th World Cup as a broadcaster.
“I’ve always loved sport, but I’ve also been fascinated by the stories around it,” he says. “I especially love weaving a narrative through my commentary and striking that balance between storytelling, accuracy and excitement.”
Alongside his commentary career, David shares his expertise with the next generation of media professionals at La Trobe, where he teaches subjects including ‘Introduction to Sports Commentary’ and ‘Interviewing for Media’.
When asked what makes a good commentator, David says it’s about balancing preparation with performance.
“A commentator needs to be able to combine good research, including statistics and history, with commentary techniques such as identification, and the use of rich and descriptive language,” he explains.
Reflecting on his career, David says the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup was one of the standout moments.
“The Matildas quarter final win over France in Brisbane is a moment I will never forget. The atmosphere was electric – the pressure, the extra time and that incredible penalty shootout.”
“The record viewing audience in Australia showed what a momentous occasion it was for the nation. It was great to see so many people engage with the Matildas. I don’t think anyone expected it to be so well received.”
Another career highlight for David was the Socceroos’ 2022 World Cup run in Qatar, where Australia made the Round of 16 and came close to upsetting eventual champions Argentina.
As he looks ahead to the 2026 World Cup, David is already starting his research and preparation.
“Next year’s World Cup will feature 48 teams instead of the traditional 32, which means we could see some smaller nations in Australia’s group. I’m looking forward to the challenge of preparing for matches across three host countries, Canada, the United States and Mexico.”
For aspiring commentators, his advice is to start with storytelling.
“Start by being a journalist. Write stories, volunteer your time with a local sports team and create any kind of content, whether it is written, audio, or visual. But most of all, learn how to tell stories. If you can tell stories, and you have a voice that can deliver a message, then you have the right tools to be a good commentator.”
