The Grupo RBS has announced its team of 20 professionals who will travel to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, set to begin on June 11, 2026, with matches in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. The group will provide wide-ranging coverage for readers and listeners in Rio Grande do Sul, with special attention to Brazil’s pursuit of a record sixth world title.
The announcement was made on Wednesday, May 27, during the “Sala de Redação” program. According to Grupo RBS, the operation will be its largest-ever World Cup coverage, bringing together more than 200 professionals across its newsrooms in Rio Grande do Sul in addition to the correspondents sent abroad. The company said the effort will be multiplatform, spanning radio, television, print, digital, and social media.
Chico Feitosa, executive sports manager at Grupo RBS, said the goal is to deliver complete coverage with quality reporting, emotion, and behind-the-scenes access, covering everything happening inside and outside the stadiums. He added that the broadcaster aims to make audiences in Rio Grande do Sul feel part of the tournament through its coverage.
Rádio Gaúcha will cover 98 matches, from the opening game on June 11 through the final on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. In addition to live match coverage, the station will produce special programming dedicated to the event, giving audiences updates, analysis, and context throughout the tournament.
The World Cup coverage will also be expanded across Gaúcha Esportes’ new YouTube channel, its social media platforms, Rádio Gaúcha’s regular programming, RBS TV, GZH, Rádio Atlântida, ge.globo/rs, and the newspapers Zero Hora, Diário Gaúcho, and Pioneiro. Grupo RBS said the strategy is designed to ensure continuous and integrated coverage for different audiences and platforms.
Among the 20 sent to the tournament, nine will be covering a World Cup abroad for the first time with RBS: Diori Vasconcelos, Rafael Diverio, Kelly Matos, Valéria Possamai, Cacau Corazza, César Cidade Dias, Vagner Martins, Eduardo Rachelle, and Lelê Bortholacci. The remaining 11 bring extensive experience, led by narrator Pedro Ernesto Denardin, who will attend his 13th World Cup. Other returning names include Maurício Saraiva, Luciano Périco, Eduardo Gabardo, Diogo Olivier, Rodrigo Oliveira, Leonardo Oliveira, Tiago Cirqueira, Rhadam Miranda, André Gonçalves, and Rodrigo Adams, each with multiple previous World Cup assignments.
Grupo RBS also announced commercial partners supporting the project. On Rádio Gaúcha, sponsors include KTO, Tramontina, Benoit, Carhouse, Alibem, Stok Center, and Amigo Internet, with support from InfinitePay and Snickers. On Rádio Atlântida, the sponsors are Fatal Model, HS Consórcios, and Snickers, with support from Tchê Ofertas and Nat Frangos.
The full list of sent staff includes Pedro Ernesto, Diogo Olivier, Leonardo Oliveira, Maurício Saraiva, Cesar Cidade Dias, Vagner Martins, Luciano Périco, Diori Vasconcelos, Kelly Matos, Cacau Corazza, Eduardo Gabardo, Rodrigo Oliveira, Rafael Diverio, Valéria Possamai, Rodrigo Adams, Lelê Bortholacci, Tiago Cirqueira, Eduardo Rachelle, Rhadam Miranda, and André Gonçalves.
