FOX Sports Announces Broadcaster Assignments for 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ Round of 16

Expert Team Continues Top Tournament Storyline Analysis

MOSCOW & NEW YORK – Following two action-packed weeks of 2018 FIFA World Cup™ group stage competition, FOX Sports unveils its broadcaster assignments for the Round of 16. Today’s announcement was made by David Neal, Executive Producer, FIFA World Cup™ on FOX.

The 2018 FIFA World Cup™ knockout stage kicks off Saturday, June 30, with a star-studded doubleheader on the FOX broadcast network, beginning with Lionel Messi and Argentina facing Paul Pogba’s France at 10:00 AM ET, followed by Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal taking on Luis Suarez and Uruguay at 2:00 PM ET. Renowned play-by-play announcer JP Dellacamera and former U.S. MNT goalkeeper Tony Meola call the action for France vs. Argentina, while lead announcer John Strong and lead analyst Stu Holden are on the call for Uruguay vs. Portugal. Saturday’s live coverage begins at 9:00 AM ET on the FOX broadcast network with a one-hour edition of WORLD CUP LIVE.

The host nation rounds out the weekend, as Russia looks to advance past Spain on Sunday, July 1 at 10:00 AM ET. The team of veteran play-by-play announcer Derek Rae and former U.S. WNT standout Aly Wagner bring the game to life on the FOX broadcast network. The duo of Mark Followill and Warren Barton wrap-up the day’s action as Luka Modric and Croatia face Christian Eriksen and Denmark at 2:00 PM ET.

The excitement doesn’t stop once the work week begins, as Monday, July 2, is highlighted by Neymar and Brazil putting their talent to the test against Mexico, a team that has stunned fans and won hearts after beating defending champion Germany in its 2018 FIFA World Cup™ opening match. Strong and Holden call the action.

The complete game broadcaster assignments for the 2018 FIFA World Cup™ Round of 16 is below.

FOX Sports 2018 FIFA World Cup™ Round of 16 Broadcaster Assignments

 (Coverage Begins One Hour Before 10:00 AM matches and Two Hours Before 2:00 PM matches)

* – schedule subject to change

Ahead of the Round of 16, tomorrow’s match analysts Holden and Meola share their thoughts on the tournament:

Stu Holden is surprised by how Germany and Brazil struggled in group stage:
“The biggest surprise of the group stage, to me, was how so many of the ‘big teams’ struggled. Teams like Germany who didn’t advance; Brazil who left it late in a number of different games; France who plodded their way through the group and still ended up with seven points … No one has established themselves as the favorite to win this tournament, which is exciting – the tournament is wide open. People are talking about Croatia potentially going on and winning this tournament. So, can these big teams turn it on now? Because they have been sleepwalking, and if they can’t turn it on, then it’s time to go home.”

Holden believes England can’t afford another failure at a World Cup:
“The way England have played in the first two games, the excitement around this team, all the talk coming into their last game, and essentially playing to play for second place in order to set themselves up with a run to get to a semifinal before facing a potential Spain or Croatia. They got the draw that they wanted, there’s no time for excuses now, it is time for England to show up. If they do not beat Colombia, this becomes yet another failure of the English National Team after all the hype and all the excitement around this team. If they fail at this stage, it becomes yet another disappointment.”

Tony Meola believes Spain will win the World Cup:
“Most people know that I picked Spain to win the World Cup. Even with the Coaching change, I am sticking with my choice. After the Group Stage, I am still as impressed with Spain as I am with anyone left in the tournament. This World Cup has taught us that anything can happen – “smaller” teams are defeating “bigger” teams. Spain is balanced from a goalkeeping perspective (yes, he made a mistake vs Portugal) to Striker. Spain’s road through the final will have to go through a tough Croatia side but I give Spain the edge. I’m a huge Andres Iniesta fan.”