The Summer of Soccer: A Look Ahead
As the summer soccer season approaches, it’s hard not to reflect on the excitement. Fortunately, we can skip the naming clichés—no one, thankfully, is calling it that. Now, pressing questions remain: Did we really showcase the largest sporting event in U.S. history for an entire month and receive positive feedback? We’ll need to revisit that after the World Cup final on July 20th.
Looking ahead, the upcoming World Cup is set to expand. We’re talking about 48 teams and a whopping 104 matches—quite a feat. Spanning three countries, four time zones, and 16 cities, this tournament is as political as it is athletic. It’s a multilingual event that needs to resonate with die-hard fans of the Premier League, while also appealing to those unfamiliar with stars like Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo. Our challenge? To elevate soccer’s profile throughout this vast nation.
“How do you embrace it?” pondered Fox’s vice president of production, Zach Kenworthy, during an event focused on promoting their World Cup coverage.
Attracting viewers to watch the matches is pretty straightforward. Soccer fans will undoubtedly tune into Fox. The real challenge lies in delivering quality coverage.
Fox has enlisted a stellar team for studio coverage, featuring names like Thierry Henry, Clarence Seedorf, Javier Hernandez, and John Obi Mikel, among others. Not to mention, former U.S. national team members such as Alexi Lalas, Carli Lloyd, Clint Dempsey, and Landon Donovan.
However, if there’s one name that stands out, it’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic, the Swedish icon who played two years with LA Galaxy.
“Throughout my career, I’ve been evaluated. Now, it’s my turn to evaluate others,” Ibrahimovic remarked during a video call with the committee. “I’ll be candid. I think people expect that from me,” he added.
Kenworthy mentioned that Fox has created a new “Stage B” for coverage, complete with graphics tailored for different countries.
Seventy matches will air on the main Fox network, while FS1 handles the remaining 34, with studio analysts on site for key games, including all those involving the U.S. Men’s National Team.
“I began prepping about a month ago,” Lloyd said, reflecting on her past critiques of the 2023 women’s team. “As the games draw nearer and rosters are finalized, my focus sharpens on key players. I have two substantial binders organized by team. By the end of this tournament, they’ll be quite full.”
Kenworthy shared that Fox’s research indicates many potential viewers may not have watched a soccer match in years. That’s certainly a considerable gap to bridge.
The challenge lies in creating discussions that engage seasoned fans while being mindful of newcomers.
“That’s why we bring in talents like Thierry Henry and Rebecca Rowe,” Kenworthy noted. “Zlatan Ibrahimovic is authentic and outstanding. They command attention, so it’s about striking that balance and showcasing their strengths.”
“I believe ‘Stage B’ opens doors to unprecedented visuals, enabling us to delve deeper into the game—whether it’s statistics, player patterns, or other intricate details.”
