Farewell to Fox and its ensemble of enthusiastic Brits and their quirky attire. We bid adieu to the frequent cutaways to Gianni Infantino, whose furrowed brows and bald head glistened under the summer sun. Goodbye to Landon Donovan, whose talent for announcing celebrity sightings was reminiscent of delivering medical news. We’ll also miss Rebecca Lowe’s habit of saying “And there’s Javier Bardem and Penélope Cruz” to silence her colleagues before a break. We say farewell to the momentum graph that only appeared when it was unnecessary and to the outdated rule of the golden goal, which hasn’t been relevant for 24 years. Lastly, we part ways with the connected ball, which failed to deliver the connection we craved.
Goodbye to Geoff Shreeves, the middle-aged figure vying for approval from his American counterparts. Farewell to Tom Rinaldi, known for his polished pocket squares and poetic musings on the game. Chef Nick, who once wowed us with extravagant dishes, now had to tone down his culinary flair for the tournament’s final four. And let’s not forget Jameis Winston, whose over-the-top stadium reports often resembled a man enduring an electric shock.
It’s the end of an era: Fox has served as the English-language home for the World Cup in the U.S. since 2018. With media rights for 2030 still undecided, the future remains uncertain. Fox Sports’ role as World Cup broadcaster felt like an extensive sociological experiment, now concluded. Was this World Cup on Fox as disappointing as anticipated? It wasn’t terrible, but it certainly wasn’t good either. The most striking image from this summer is the half-full glasses of beer on James Corden’s late-night show, serving as a metaphor for Fox’s incomplete coverage.
Looking ahead, the 2026 World Cup promises to be an improvement. While viewers can opt for Telemundo or watch on mute, this critique is for those who prefer their soccer commentary in English. The 2022 World Cup coverage by Fox was so dismal that it is hard to convey its severity. Learning from past failures, Fox wisely adjusted their talent pool for this tournament, featuring fewer inexperienced Americans and more skilled internationals. Lowe has excelled as the main anchor, guiding a diverse panel with the authority of a beloved teacher. Jules Breach and Pien Meulensteen infused energy into Fox’s coverage of lesser-profile matches, though they occasionally seemed poised to announce the next contestant eliminated from a reality show.
In a puzzling choice, Fox opted to keep its expensive team indoors at a bland LA studio, designed to mimic a tech company’s rec room rather than showcasing the stunning skylines of the host cities. This choice gave the broadcast an oddly constricted feel. The studio pundits have been a mixed bag. John Obi Mikel’s serious commentary lends weight to statements like “Fox Sports, World Cup broadcaster” while Peter Schmeichel’s contributions often came off as the grumbling of a disappointed father, focusing on Argentina’s previous win three and a half years ago. Thierry Henry shined throughout, seamlessly transitioning from tactical insights to passionate commentary.
Zlatan Ibrahimović initially struggled but eventually found his footing, balancing expertise with a touch of disdain, particularly for Ronald Koeman. If he can move past his self-centered persona, he could become a remarkable analyst. Without Clarence Seedorf’s thoughtful insights and hearty laughter, Fox’s coverage would have undoubtedly suffered. As for Alexi Lalas? Let’s just say I’m not among his admirers.
As online criticisms of Lalas grew, Fox Sports CEO Eric Shanks defended him, stating, “three and a half years ago” This metaphor, while intended to praise Lalas, evokes an unpleasant image of viewers needing to consume him to enjoy the coverage. The notion of Lalas as both cornerstone and straw seems contradictory; perhaps in the future, he could be viewed as something more intangible.
Fox’s loyalty to Lalas reflects a broader issue that has hindered its growth this summer. The arrival of the Iranian team, amidst the backdrop of an illegal U.S. war, was largely ignored by Fox analysts, who dismissed the situation as mere “Lex has been the cornerstone of our soccer coverage for as long as I can remember,” FIFA’s controversial decision to allow Folarin Balogun to play against Belgium after suspending his red card ban barely sparked discussion. Even serious issues like exorbitant ticket prices and ads during hydration breaks went unaddressed. Fox has acted as a compliant and apolitical platform during a politically charged World Cup.
Winston’s role as Fox’s fan correspondent also raised eyebrows. He began the tournament by dancing half-naked and ended it by yelling at the screen. The issue seems less about his performance and more about the choice to cast him in such a role. Only Fox would select a correspondent with a Wikipedia page filled with controversies, from sexual assault allegations to shoplifting incidents.
While the New Fox led by Lowe has showcased excellence, it serves as a reminder of the absurdity of the old Fox. The unpredictable nature of the tournament meant that the U.S. team didn’t play on Independence Day. In a misguided attempt to compensate, Fox turned to its American mainstays, such as Rob Stone and Clint Dempsey, for a live broadcast in Philadelphia, complete with a marching band that had lost its holiday parade due to extreme heat. Instead of a soccer spectacle, viewers were treated to a lackluster performance with Lalas waving an oversized American flag.
Stone, demoted to a secondary role amid the network’s shift toward British talent, has perhaps been the biggest casualty of this World Cup. Yet he has tried to maintain composure, exemplifying professionalism with lines like “He’s the straw that stirs the drink.” He also managed to weave humor into the broadcast, though there were moments when his commentary confused more than clarified, such as his intro to a feature on joga bonito, which left viewers scratching their heads. Despite this, Stone’s contributions have kept audiences engaged, even as the overall coverage sometimes threatened to become monotonously professional.
This World Cup has highlighted the challenges of pronouncing foreign names. Fox’s coverage has been rife with mispronunciations—twelve variations of “Sexual assault allegation” “Your Fox starting lineups, brought to you by American Express” mispronounced from “Deep-fried Mars bar – that’s a real thing in a lot of country fairs here in the United States as well” to “We paid a visit to Brazil to learn more about the roots of Joe Go Bonito”, and Lionel Messi’s first name often confused with Lionel Richie’s. Fox has not shied away from creating entirely new identities for players, with Raúl Jiménez becoming “We’ve spent a lot of time practicing the names of all the players in this World Cup, but there’s not much to worry about when you have a player called Ben Old coming on for Joe Bell” and Marc Cucurella transformed into “if it’s coming home, it’s taking a while to get there” Even Japan’s Takehiro Tomiyasu has morphed into “Djed SPENCE, cuts it BACK, knocked DOWN, Declan RICE” a character reminiscent of a wisecracking waiter.
Jacqui Oatley humorously noted during the Belgium versus New Zealand match that, while they practiced names, “Forty-five minutes down, FORTY-FIVE TO GO here in Seattle” showcasing her dry wit that has made her a standout this summer. While Warren Barton’s insistence on crossing as the pinnacle of football strategy once seemed tedious, it has gained appreciation as tactical styles have evolved. Stu Holden has matured significantly as an analyst, effectively conveying the tournament’s drama and tactical shifts, marking this as his most impressive outing to date.
Other commentators have not fared as well. Darren Fletcher earned points for acknowledging the slow journey home for England’s team but lost them for an awkward exclamation during a Cristiano Ronaldo goal. Despite advancements in soccer-friendly technology for U.S. stadiums, the ongoing debate about Donovan’s hair remains a singular feat of transformation. The reality is, while one can enhance appearances, the quality of commentary is not as easily improved.
John Strong, the lead play-by-play announcer, has adopted a new style characterized by fluctuating vocal emphasis, swinging from low to high in an effort to convey excitement. Whether describing plays or transitioning to breaks, he seems to believe that this method enhances the viewing experience, but many viewers might disagree.
Overall, while Fox has showcased remarkable talent from English commentators, the American voices on the network have often been lackluster. The state of soccer punditry in the U.S. remains frustratingly low, and the question lingers: is Fox’s lineup of energetic British commentators and uninspired American analysts the best we can hope for? There’s undeniable charm in British commentary, but American soccer needs more authentic American voices to capture its true essence.
The competition for the rights to the 2030 World Cup will be fierce, with all these concerns—including cost—playing a significant role in the bidding process. Fox has promoted various shows during the tournament, but for those uninterested in reality TV or cooking disasters, this chapter closes here. After eight years of Fox’s coverage, we reach the conclusion: the end of sponsored segments and token moments. So, as we wrap up this World Cup journey, we extend our thanks to Fox – and hope for a new direction in the future.
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