Landon Donovan Will Reportedly Be One Of FOX's Lead Announcers At Russia 2018

In 2011 FOX bid more than $400 million to secure the US rights for the 2018 and 2022 Men’s World Cup (as well as the Women’s 2015 and 2019 World Cups). [Note: Telemundo also bid over $600 million for rights for those tournaments as well.] Now just over a year away from the kick-off, FOX appears to have chosen their three-man announcer booth to headline the network’s World Cup coverage. 

If you tuned in for the USMNT’s World Cup qualifying 2-0 victory over Trinidad & Tobago on Thursday night, hopefully you enjoyed the commentating. The Associated Press reported that FOX is set to pair John Strong as the play-by-play lead with Stu Holden and Landon Donovan on color commentary.

“They’re American voices, diverse American voices. Soccer is truly becoming a mainstream sport. I think it’s in the top four already. I think it’s supplanted the NHL,” David Neal, executive producer of Fox’s World Cup coverage, said. 

This will be a drastic shift for US coverage of the World Cup, with the last two tournaments being primarily voiced by Martin Tyler, Ian Darke and Jon Champion. FOX is taking the approach to lead with not only American voices, but two national team veterans. 

As for Donovan 2018 looks to be another memorable World Cup for the all time leading goal scorer for the US. In 2010 his stoppage time goal against Algeria was the iconic moment of the tournament for the USMNT. In 2014 his exclusion by Jurgen Klinsmann was the primary storyline going into Brazil and used to question Klinsmann after their elimination. 

Landon is still quite new to the announcer position, but has a year to shape experience through friendlies and MLS before next summer. Although to be fair, it is his experience as a US captain and World Cup vet, and not his play-by-play commentary that FOX is looking for. 

You can catch more of the John Strong and Stu Holden combination this Sunday as the US travels down to Mexico for their next World Cup qualifier. Additionally, the pair will lead FOX’s coverage of the Confederations Cup in Russia this summer.