FOX Sports Bolsters FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ Coverage with Addition of Former National Team Stars DaMarcus Beasley, Jimmy Conrad, Sacha Kljestan and Melissa Ortiz
Beasley, Conrad, Kljestan and Ortiz Anchor FOX Sports’ On-Site Digital Coverage from Qatar Throughout the Tournament
FOX Sports’ Robust Digital Offerings Include Live Twitter Pre- and Postgame Shows, Daily Chad ‘Ochocinco’ Johnson Videos, Exclusive Highlights of Every Goal and Must-See Moment, Instant Video Recaps, Can’t-Miss Interviews and 500+ Editorial Stories on FOXSports.com & the FOX Sports App
LOS ANGELES – FOX Sports, America’s English-language home for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™, today announces the additions of former national team stars DaMarcus Beasley, Jimmy Conrad, Sacha Kljestan and Melissa Ortiz to its robust roster of former soccer stars covering the tournament as the quartet prepares to power FOX Sports digital’s presentation of the world’s greatest sporting event Nov. 20 – Dec. 18.
Home to the best online content surrounding FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ on FOX Sports, the FOX Sports App, FOXSports.com and @FOXSoccer social channels will provide soccer fans a world-class, multi-platform experience this holiday season with 24-7 online coverage of every team and player throughout the tournament, including exclusive highlights of every goal, big moment and celebration, in-depth analysis from the game’s biggest personalities, instant scores and real-time stats, must-read articles and more.
“The World Cup attracts millions of fans – some diehards, some first-timers – each of which has interest in various teams, players and storylines. In 2022, they also have endless options for how, when and where to consume the content they care about – whether on the big screen or in the palm of their hands,” said Michael Bucklin, Senior Vice President, Digital, FOX Sports. “This will require us to showcase our full arsenal of coverage to meet their needs. We’re especially excited about DaMarcus, Jimmy, Melissa and Sacha joining our roster because they add personality, experience & digital reach that will engage our fans in a deeper, more authentic way.”
FOX Sports’ digital productions will broadcast shows from a brand new, state-of-the-art set located along the Corniche waterfront promenade in Doha, Qatar and feature expert analysis from soccer’s most prominent voices, including four standouts from the professional ranks set to debut with the FOX Sports team in Qatar:
- DaMarcus Beasley | @DaMarcusBeasley
- Beasley joins FOX Sports as a digital host and analyst in Qatar as the only men’s player ever to represent the United States across four FIFA World Cups™. With over 400 professional club appearances ranging from Manchester City in the English Premiere League to the Houston Dynamo in Major League Soccer, Beasley brings his unparalleled U.S. Men’s National Team (USMNT) experience and expertise to the network’s daily online coverage in Doha.
- Jimmy Conrad | @JimmyConrad
- Former USMNT defender Conrad will serve as FOX Sports digital host and analyst in Doha. Currently the Sporting Director and Head Coach for San Francisco Glens SC of USL League Two, Conrad’s playing resume includes 28 international caps with the USMNT and a roster spot on the 2006 U.S. FIFA World Cup™ Over 12 MLS seasons, Conrad received MLS Best XI honors on four occasions and played in two MLS Cup championships, winning one.
- Sacha Kljestan | @SachaKljestan
- Kljestan joins FOX Sports as a digital host and analyst in Doha after recently completing his 10th MLS season overall, fourth as a midfielder with the Los Angeles Galaxy. After a breakout season for Chivas USA, becoming an All-Star and earning a USMNT roster spot in 2008, Kljestan landed on the cover of EA Sports’s internationally acclaimed FIFA Soccer video game. Kljestan will provide unique perspective in the role having lined up against many of the current stars playing in Qatar, drawing upon his 51 career appearances with the USMNT, including the 2008 Beijing Olympics, while covering the tournament in Doha.
- Melissa Ortiz | @MelissaMOrtiz
- Ortiz makes her debut as a FIFA World Cup™ digital analyst and host with FOX Sports, in addition to serving up must-watch videos on TikTok. Ortiz will bring a player’s perspective as a former standout with the Colombian Women’s National Team, helping the country qualify for the FIFA Women’s World Cup™ in 2015. Ortiz represented Colombia in the Olympics, Copa America, and Central American Games, and also played professionally in the Icelandic, American, and Colombian leagues.
LIVE ON TWITTER – As previously announced, for the first time in the history of the tournament on FOX, the network will offer in-match previews and live pre- and postgame shows for every FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ match exclusively for Twitter via @FOXSports and @FOXSoccer. The network’s social channels will also feature near real-time match highlights, Q&As with FOX Soccer personalities, weekly live analysis via Twitter Spaces featuring lively audio content around the games, hand-curated Twitter moments and more.
The 2022 FIFA WORLD CUP NOW pre- and postgame shows will include commentary and analysis from new hosts Beasley, Conrad, Kljestan and Ortiz, alongside the full cast of FOX Sports broadcasters on the ground in Doha. The pregame shows will feature live commentary, as well as in-stadium feeds, taking fans inside the stadium with their favorite players as they get set for competition. After each match, the postgame show will include highlights of every magical moment, jersey swap and celebration, complete with instant reaction and best-in-class analysis.
WORLD CUP HUB – The FIFA World Cup™ Hub launches the week of November 14 and changes dynamically to reflect current match and tournament status, and provides convenient access to all FOX Sports digital content across FOXSports.com and the FOX Sports App.
Key features include:
- Live streams and full replays of all 64 matches
- Match Center (bonus feeds, commentary, rosters, stats and highlights)
- Extensive Highlights
- Exclusive Original Content
- Fan Guide
- Team Pages
- Schedules
- Standings
- Stats
INSIDER ACCESS – Added on-site reports, features and analysis from trusted insiders Doug McIntyre (@ByDougMcIntyre), Laken Litman (@LakenLitman), and Martin Rogers (@MrogersFOX) also enhance the network’s comprehensive coverage with timely written storytelling and insight delivered from stadiums across Qatar. Predictions, previews and group discussions from FOX Sports’ on-air talent and on-the-ground reporting staff will be featured prominently across all FOX Sports digital platforms throughout, with World Cup Daily articles wrapping each day of the tournament and previewing the next.
PODCAST – FOX Sports’ lead studio analyst for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™, Alexi Lalas, will record daily episodes of his wildly popular ALEXI LALAS’ STATE OF THE UNION podcast while in Doha. The award-winning show is a one-stop shop for all things soccer, with Lalas and sidekick David Mosse delivering candid conversations, interviews with players and coaches and listener commentary via the State of the Union hotline – (657) 549-2297 – where fans can leave questions or comments for Lalas. Every episode is available on YouTube, Apple, Spotify or wherever podcasts are consumed. For additional clips, highlights and commentary, follow @SOTUWithAlexi on all social platforms: Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and Facebook.
OCHOCINCO ON-SITE – Former NFL star, FIFA video game phenom and soccer super fan Chad ‘Ochocinco’ Johnson (@ochocinco) will provide a first-hand account of the ultimate fan experience in Qatar. Johnson will attend over 23 World Cup matches over the course of the tournament, including every game in the knock-out rounds and through the championship, providing video commentary and insight for FOX Sports’ digital platforms every step of the way.
FOLLOW ALONG – Follow FOX Soccer across all social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
FOX SPORTS APP – From Sunday, Nov. 20 through Sunday, Dec. 18, FOX Sports will stream all 64 FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 TM matches live on the FOX Sports app to TV providers. Built for the modern sports fan, the FOX Sports app is the home for streaming live and on-demand sports from FOX, FS1, FS2, and FOX Deportes all in one app. Every live FOX Sports game and studio show is available to TV subscribers, making every match, as well as on-demand highlights of top moments from shows and leagues all one click away.
