Commentator Derek Rae (center)

Accomplished soccer commentator Derek Rae will join the ranks of FOX Sports this summer to announce several World Cup games for the US broadcaster.

Given his experience and world-class commentary, the addition of Rae will be a big boost to FOX Sports’ coverage of the World Cup. Rae has been involved in every World Cup in one capacity or another since Italia 1990.

Rae will be paired with co-commentator Aly Wagner, the former US Women’s National Team player. Whether FOX’s decision to assign Wagner was in response to Telemundo’s announcement in March that it would have a woman commentating men’s World Cup games for the first time ever on US television is unclear. But nevertheless, Wagner is an accomplished professional who World Soccer Talk recommended for the position as co-commentator as far back as June, 2017.

“I think this is a great tribute to Fox Sports and their planning,” Rae said in an interview with Front Row Soccer. “Aly and I had never met. Fox Sports have had us together doing various trial runs, which I think that is something important, getting used to a new audio partner. So, I’ve got to know ally quite well. I really respect her. I really respect what she has to say about the game, her knowledge, her tactical insight. This is someone who does her homework.”

Best known in the United States for his work as a commentator for ESPN on their World Cup and UEFA Champions League coverage, Rae is a pro when it comes to announcing the game. In October, he joined NBC Sports and has commentated several high-profile Premier League games this season. Plus, he can often be heard commentating Bundesliga games and matches from all around the world.

As of press time, FOX Sports has not announced who else will be commentating World Cup games this summer. Despite the lack of information from FOX, we reveal more details about their coverage in our World Cup guide.