FOX Sports Unveils FIFA World Cup Tonight Broadcast Team Featuring Kate Abdo, Maurice Edu and Chad Johnson
LOS ANGELES – FOX Sports, America’s English-language home for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™, today announces a dynamic, world-renowned trio of soccer personalities to anchor the network’s FIFA WORLD CUP TONIGHT show in acclaimed host Kate Abdo, former U.S. Men’s National Team (USMNT) star Maurice Edu and former NFL star – soccer aficionado Chad Johnson. Throughout the tournament, an additional guest analyst will join the trio on-set providing viewers and program alike with a versatile range of unique perspectives from soccer stars, personas and pundits.
Starting on the evening of Monday, Nov. 21, FIFA WORLD CUP TONIGHT will air on FOX at midnight across all time zones during the tournament. The show will also air on FS1 at 11:00 PM ET on most weekdays throughout the competition. On select match days, including Thanksgiving, Nov. 24, Black Friday, Nov. 25 and the FIFA World Cup Final on Sunday, Dec. 18, the show will premiere at 7:00 PM ET on FS1.
David Neal, Executive Producer of FIFA World Cup™ on FOX and Vice President of Production for FOX Sports, applauded the addition of the marquee trio to the network’s blossoming broadcast team.
“We’re thrilled to be putting an absolute exclamation point at the end of every match day with FOX Sports’ star-studded FIFA WORLD CUP TONIGHT team,” said Neal. “Kate, Mo and Chad bring expertise, experience and originality to FOX Sports’ nightly coverage of the tournament, and we look forward to having them, along with a few surprise guests, raise the level of excitement in recapping all the action for viewers across America.”
Abdo returns to FOX Sports for her fourth FIFA World Cup™ with the network following fantastic hosting assignments at FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019™, FIFA World Cup Russia 2018™ and FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015™. The multilingual broadcaster and journalist has covered some of the most high-profile sporting events around the globe throughout her career.
FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ marks Edu’s second World Cup as a FOX Sports analyst after contributing to the network’s presentation of FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019™. He joined FOX Sports at the end of 2018 and has since been a fixture across the network’s soccer properties. On the international stage, Edu earned 46 caps with the USMNT, representing the squad at the 2008 Summer Olympics and FIFA World Cup South Africa 2010™. Edu has the distinct accomplishment of being one of the cover athletes of the North American version of the FIFA Soccer ’09 video game. He is also an ambassador for the U.S. Soccer Foundation.
Johnson makes his FOX Sports debut as a contributing soccer analyst on FIFA WORLD CUP TONIGHT. An 11-year NFL veteran, Johnson was a six-time NFL Pro Bowler and four-time All-Pro who left a legacy on the field. He led the league in receiving in 2006 with 1,369 yards in 16 games for the Cincinnati Bengals. Johnson played soccer competitively growing up until attending Miami Beach Senior High School. In 2011, Johnson – then known as Chad Ochocinco – had a four-day trial with Major League Soccer club Sporting Kansas City. His passion for soccer has grown exponentially since then as both an avid fan and constant consumer of the beautiful game worldwide.
The complete FIFA World Cup™ broadcast team joining FOX Sports in Qatar will be revealed in the lead-up to the tournament.