Fox Sports’ 2018 FIFA World Cup Will Be the ‘Largest Production in the Network’s 24-Year History’

During an event in New York City yesterday, Fox Sports unveiled plans for unprecedented coverage of the 2018 FIFA World Cup, which it projects to be the largest production in the network’s 24-year history. Fox Sports will roll out 350 hours of World Cup programming during the month-long tournament, including more soccer matches on broadcast television than the last four World Cups combined.

Fos Sports’ Eric Shanks (center) was joined onstage by on-air personalities Alexi Lalas, Landon Donovan, Kate Abdo, Rob Stone, Fernando Fiore, U.S. Men’s National Team coach Bruce Arena, Mexican National Team manager Juan Carlos Osorio, and others for the Road to Russia celebration in New York City.

“Fox Sports is thrilled to present what will be the biggest global sporting event of 2018,” says Eric Shanks, president/executive producer, Fox Sports. “We will showcase the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia as an international cultural moment unlike ever before in U.S. television history.”

Daytime and late-night studio coverage will originate from a state-of-the-art facility in Moscow’s iconic Red Square. The two-story complex will feature two sets, a main anchor desk, and an interview area for World Cup Live, World Cup Today, and World Cup Tonight, as well as pregame, halftime, and postgame programs. Kate Abdo hosts World Cup Live, and Rob Stone anchors World Cup Today, and Emmy Award-winning broadcaster Fernando Fiore wraps up the day’s action on World Cup Tonight.  

“We have been working around the clock to create an unmatched experience for viewers for next summer’s biggest stage, the 2018 FIFA World Cup,” says David Neal, executive producer, FIFA World Cup on Fox/VP, production, Fox Sports. “Fox Sports will dedicate endless resources to produce top-tier storytelling that will long be remembered.”

Fox also said its coverage will feature virtual-reality content and “the latest technological advances in the industry” — although specifics were not provided. In addition, Fox’s digital content will feature 15 original series on Fox Sports GO app.

In collaboration with National Geographic, Fox Sports will feature multiplatform visual coverage enriched by Nat Geo’s globally recognized photographers, videographers, and journalists.

In addition, Fox Sports is curating a one-of-a-kind musical experience, working with Russian pianist/composer Kirill Richter and renowned musician/producer/DJ Rudenko. Richter has composed a theme song titled “Where Angels Fear To Tread,” capturing the culture and authenticity of the country and its people, which will be used throughout Fox Sports’ World Cup presentation.

Check sportsvideo.org and the SVG app in the coming months for more coverage of Fox Sports’ 2018 FIFA World Cup production.