ARD presenter Jessy Wellmer (42) stands in for her colleague Alexander Bommes (46) during the World Cup broadcasts, who is not available "for health reasons". The ARD announced on Monday. "Together with the panel of experts, consisting of Almuth Schult, Thomas Hitzlsperger and Sami Khedira, she will present the programs in the first from the ARD studio in Mainz from next Wednesday, November 23," it said. The broadcaster did not give more detailed information about the expected length of Bommes' absence.

Jessy Wellmer is currently moderating the "Sportschau Thema" program, for which the broadcaster will soon present a replacement as long as the 42-year-old is busy with the World Cup broadcast. Wellmer has been part of the “Sportschau” team since 2014. She accompanied the 2021 European Football Championship together with ex-national player Bastian Schweinsteiger (38).

ARD sports coordinator Axel Balkausky (60) was saddened by Bommes' failure: "The entire ARD team and I am very sorry for Alex Bommes that he has to give up the World Cup and we wish him well gets better as soon as possible. My big thanks go to Jessy Wellmer for agreeing to replace him at such short notice - even if she has to do without the moderation of the 'Sportschau Thema', which is very important to her. But for us It is an enormous relief for everyone to have such a competent colleague in Jessy for the important moderation position in Mainz."

The German national soccer team starts the tournament against Japan on Wednesday at 2 p.m. Wellmer will then present assessments and reactions from the studio instead of Bommes.