Live commentary during soccer broadcasts, such as the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, is the most challenging aspect of sports reporting, as it significantly influences viewer perception and evaluation. Female commentators, in particular, are often subject to massive criticism. At the 2022 World Cup, three women, Claudia Neumann, Christina Graf, and Christina Rann, commented on 14 matches for ARD, ZDF, and MagentaTV for the first time. The subjectively perceived importance of live TV commentary and the social significance of soccer tournaments raise questions about the quality of the commentary. This paper presents the functions of live soccer commentary as a specific form of commentary based on theoretical considerations, empirical studies, and best practice examples. Different linguistic quality criteria were derived and examined using a content analysis. The study shows that the commentators fulfill the derived functions but vary in speaking intensity, linguistic ability, and emotionality. Despite the strengths and weaknesses identified, the results should motivate the commentators to reflect on and improve their language skills. The discrepancy between objective criteria and subjective evaluation continues to challenge quality research. Live commentary on television is and remains a complex process.