Overview
- Emma Hayes paused her ITV World Cup analysis to pay tribute to her late father and turned her jacket to show the words "She will change the world," a moment broadcast on Father's Day, June 21, 2026.
- Hayes said the tribute marked what would have been her father's 85th birthday and noted his encouragement shaped her confidence; Sid Hayes died in September 2023 at age 82.
- Viewers and commentators widely praised the gesture, the clip quickly circulated online, and many used the moment to voice support after earlier sexist online attacks directed at Hayes.
- ITV adjusted Hayes' studio presentation after critics mocked a 'kitchen-style' tactics corner by supplying an upgraded magnetic tactics board and using tighter camera framing to reduce the visible set.
- Coverage tied the tribute to Sid Hayes' reported long-term support for women's football and to Hayes' profile as a top coach and broadcaster, a combination that may prompt networks to rethink how they present female analysts.