World Cup 2026: Merino’s Versatility and Polish TV Audiences Surge

Spanish midfielder Mikel Merino, now with Arsenal, has become known for his ability to play anywhere from centre‑back to striker. Since joining Arsenal in 2024 he has made 50 Premier League appearances and scored 11 goals, after a six‑year spell at Real Sociedad and a prior stint at Newcastle.

Polish television recorded record audiences for the 2026 World Cup. The Spain‑Portugal round‑of‑16 match on 6 July attracted 4.01 million viewers, the highest of the tournament so far. Other top‑rated games included Spain‑Austria, Brazil‑Norway and Argentina‑Egypt, each drawing between 2.9 million and 3 million viewers across TVP1 and TVP Sport.