
<p>If you have been able to stay up or wake up early to watch the Women’s World Cup, you will have seen the usual FOX coverage of a major tournament. In a way, there are no surprises. You know what you’ll get. Since acquiring the women’s and men’s World Cup rights starting in 2015, FOX has sent many of the same faces and voices to cover games.</p>



<p>If the Women’s World Cup is a chance to be a paradigm shift, the broadcaster must play a role, too. Not only should FOX be promoting its women talent more, but it should be putting them on the center stage. For example, FOX brought Heather O’Reilly, Karina LeBlanc and Kate Gill. Each of them has playing experience. Now, they just need the broadcast experience for some of the bigger contests.</p>



<p>FOX should be embracing the chance for more diverse coverage at the Women’s World Cup. The usual faces of Rob Stone, Alexi Lalas, Stu Holden, JP Dellacamera and John Strong are center stage. However, this is an unprecedented chance to build on the popularity of women’s soccer, particularly in the United States. With record viewing numbers for group stage games already, FOX can send a message</p>



<h5>Breaking away from the norm</h5>



<p>Rob Stone and Alexi Lalas are the cornerstones of the studio coverage. JP Dellacamera and John Strong are two of the highlight names for play-by-play duties. The same goes for Jenn Hildreth. There are some familiar names as analysts, too. For example, Kyndra de St. Aubin, Aly Wagner and Danielle Slaton served in the same role going back to that <a href="https://www.foxsports.com/presspass/blog/2015/06/04/fox-sports-announces-broadcast-teams-for-group-stage-of-fifa-womens-world-cup-2015/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">2015 World Cup</a> in Canada.</p>



<p>Most of the fans in the United States will tune in to watch the Women’s World Cup when the USWNT is playing. Not only have the kickoff times been somewhat favorable to an American audience, but that is simply where the interest rests in the USA. The lead analyst in studio coverage is Alexi Lalas. </p>



<p>Lalas, a polarizing figure in the American soccer media, has more than enough experience when it comes to covering a World Cup. And, while he was a player, it would be better to replace him with a top-level women’s soccer analyst. There are plenty to choose from.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Instead of tactical analysis we get smack talk on attitude. <br>How about some graphics on point-of-attack, team shape, passing completion rate, distances covered? But no, instead we get “how dare they not look angry or depressed” character attacks from this dreadful studio panel.</p>— David Kilpatrick (@DrDKilpatrick) <a href="https://twitter.com/DrDKilpatrick/status/1686314494807375872?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 1, 2023</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



<p>Granted, Lalas has spent more time in the broadcasting industry. Moreover, he is someone that knows how to get interaction and involvement from the viewers. That is why FOX <a href="https://twitter.com/SOTUWithAlexi/status/1684417989154852865" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">promoted his quote in a tweet</a> from studio coverage. It is good analysis of USWNT manager Vlatko Andonovski. However, Lloyd and Hingst played with or against some of the stars on the pitch. FOX can, and should, be more active and promoting some of its women talent.</p>



<h2>FOX can look to others to see diverse World Cup coverage</h2>



<p>While FOX continues to employ many of the same faces for its featured coverage, other providers are taking a new path, one of a more diverse look for the Women’s World Cup. For reference, Telemundo announced the <a href="https://corporate.comcast.com/press/releases/telemundo-fifa-womens-world-cup-2023-broadcast-spanish-language-media-history">largest women commentary roster</a> in Spanish-language media history. </p>



<p>“For us, the Women’s World Cup is more than a premier global sporting event – it is an opportunity to contribute to something bigger, and we’re proud to enhance our coverage with experienced and diverse voices,” said Eli Velazquez, Executive Vice President of Sports, Telemundo.</p>



<p>Telemundo, with coverage available on <a href="https://imp.i305175.net/c/330866/1313913/11640" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Peacock</a> as well, always thrives when it comes to broadcasting the World Cup. Is it a picture-perfect display of diversity compared to its men’s World Cup coverage? No, of course not. The sensational Andrés Cantor headlines the play-by-play duties alongside many of those who were in Qatar for the World Cup. For example, Sammy Sadovnik, Jorge Calvo and Copan Alvarez all called games for the men’s tournament. </p>



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<p>Regardless, Telemundo is making steps to get more diverse names into its coverage. To be fair, the three-person broadcast teams that Telemundo uses make that slightly easier. FOX only uses a play-by-play voice and a color commentator. Therefore, FOX just has less options available in the booth. Could FOX try something out to give more people an opportunity? Yes. That is what FOX should be doing. It should take risks and work to be different in the broadcast world rather than reverting back to what it has done for almost a decade with these high-profile competitions.</p>



<p>For instance, CBS does not shy away from taking risks either. The broadcaster recently unveiled <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tv/cbs-sports-golazo-adds-attacking-third-womens-soccer-show-20230712-WST-442643.html">Attacking Third</a>, an all-women crew that focuses on women’s soccer. CBS puts this program on the CBS Sports Golazo Network, which does afford CBS more freedom than FOX has during a World Cup. Although CBS does not have the rights to a World Cup, the women on the panel do a phenomenal job talking about the Women’s World Cup. Compared to FOX’s coverage, Attacking Third is a far better and more intelligent option.</p>



<p>FOX’s talent can do the same if it has the analysts available during the Women’s World Cup. </p>



<div style="background:#ffcc66;padding:10px;">
<h3>Guide to World Cup 2023</h3>
<div style="padding:10px;">
Here are some resources to help you get the most out of the biggest event in women&apos;s soccer!
</div>
<div style="padding:10px;">
<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/womens-world-cup-tv-schedule/"><strong>Schedule:</strong></a> All the info on <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/womens-world-cup-tv-schedule/">where and when to watch</a> every game
</div><div style="padding:10px;">
<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/how-to-watch-the-womens-world-cup-on-us-tv/"><strong>TV Coverage:</strong></a> <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/how-to-watch-the-womens-world-cup-on-us-tv/">How to watch</a> the games on TV
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<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tv/foxs-womens-world-cup-commentators-for-wwc-2023-20230609-WST-436709.html"><strong>Commentators:</strong></a> Find out more about the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tv/foxs-womens-world-cup-commentators-for-wwc-2023-20230609-WST-436709.html">studio talent and announcers</a>
</div><div style="padding:10px;">
<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/womens-world-cup-bracket-free-download/"><strong>World Cup Bracket:</strong></a> Map out the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/womens-world-cup-bracket-free-download/">entire tournament</a>, from the groups to the final
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<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/category/womens-world-cup/"><strong>World Cup News:</strong></a> Latest news and info for<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/category/womens-world-cup/"> Australia &amp; New Zealand 2023</a>
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While other broadcasters are developing increasingly diverse coverage, FOX continues to use its tried and tested and familiar World Cup crew.

FOX misses chance for diversity at Women's World Cup

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<p>There’s nothing wrong with having some fun on the set. But when the joke is on FOX Sports, should we be surprised? For more than a decade, FOX Sports have been the butt of jokes among soccer fans in the United States. So with in mind, we look at the top six funniest mistakes of FOX’s World Cup coverage they’ve made on live television so far.</p>



<p>After all, with FOX’s World Cup coverage, sometimes you have to laugh to keep from crying.</p>



<h2>Top 6 funniest mistakes of FOX’s World Cup</h2>



<p><strong>1. FOX screws up World Cup bracket live on television</strong></p>



<p>After the final match of the World Cup group stage, we finally knew all 16 teams that had qualified for the knockout round. So, what did FOX Sports do? Instead of showing the correct lineup of games for the Round of 16, they managed to screw it up live on TV (see screengrab below). Their bracket showed Spain facing Croatia, and Morocco against Japan.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><div><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="670" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/WST_20221204_WST_410994_fox-sports-bracket-screwup-1200x670.webp&amp;width=1200&amp;height=670" alt="" class="wp-image-411104" srcset="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2022/12/fox-sports-bracket-screwup-1200x670.jpeg 1200w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2022/12/fox-sports-bracket-screwup-300x168.jpeg 300w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2022/12/fox-sports-bracket-screwup-768x429.jpeg 768w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2022/12/fox-sports-bracket-screwup.jpeg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure></div></figure>



<p>Anyone following the World Cup knows that it should have been Spain against Morocco and Croatia against Japan.</p>



<p><strong>2. FOX commentators can’t keep score</strong></p>



<p>When you have a Group of Death with all of the games coming down to the final 90 minutes to determine who advances, you do your homework beforehand. As a commentator and/or analyst, you figure out what’s needed for each team to advance to the next round.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">How much worse can some of FOX&apos;s World Cup commentators get? Viewers watching Japan-Spain were given wrong details by commentators Jacqui Oatley and Warren Barton. <a href="https://t.co/SPdApgiYKc">https://t.co/SPdApgiYKc</a></p>— World Soccer Talk (@worldsoccertalk) <a href="https://twitter.com/worldsoccertalk/status/1598502484632141824?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 2, 2022</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<p>So in the game between Japan and Spain that was commentated by FOX Sports’ Jacqui Oatley and Warren Barton, the unbelievable happened. They were so bad in understanding what was happening that they said many times during the commentary that Spain would get knocked out if they lost and if Germany won.</p>



<p>In fact, Spain did lose (2-1 to Japan) and Germany did win (4-2 against Costa Rica). Yet, both Spain and Japan advanced.</p>



<p>Barton, in particular, was saying during the broadcast that Spain needed an equalizer in order to advance, which was completely erroneous. Perhaps Barton didn’t do well in mathematics in school, but this was a laughable, schoolboy error by Barton and <a href="https://twitter.com/AndrewMarchand/status/1598417956022751232" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jacqui Oatley</a> in a game with major implications.</p>



<p>And this is from the same FOX pundit who <a href="https://twitter.com/worldsoccertalk/status/1597187124075565056" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">doesn’t mention player names</a> unless it’s someone famous or an anglicized name.</p>



<p><strong>3. Gag order silences FOX’s over-talkative commentator</strong></p>



<p>Before the World Cup began, FOX’s lead producer for its World Cup coverage <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/fox-sports-to-hide-the-truth-from-world-cup-viewers-20221014-WST-404413.html">promised</a> that “If it affects what happens on the field of play, we will cover it and cover it fully.” This was in response to whether FOX Sports would discuss any of the human rights abuses and lack of freedoms in host country Qatar.</p>



<p>So when a major incident happening unexpectedly during the Portugal-Uruguay game, FOX’s policy was put to the test. A pitch invader ran on to the field, stopped play and it was plainly evident that he was <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/nbc-out/out-news/protestor-rainbow-flag-runs-field-world-cup-rcna59064" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">carrying a large Pride flag</a>. On the front of his shirt were the words “Save Ukraine.” On the back, his T-shirt proclaimed “Respect for Iranian woman.”</p>



<p>So given FOX’s promise that they would cover what happens on the field fully, what did they do? The always over-talkative duo of FOX Sports lead commentator John Strong and analyst Stu Holden were at a loss for words. All he could muster was “The play will be stopped here because someone who has come onto the field.”</p>



<p>And that was followed by 50 seconds of stone cold silence.</p>



<p>The funny thing is that the game was also simulcast on SiriusXM where the satellite radio firm uses the FOX Sports audio feed. They must have been wondering why there was a rare silence.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">FOX doesn&apos;t control the video; it&apos;s the same for everyone worldwide. <br><br>All FOX Sports&apos; John Strong could say about it was "The play will be stopped here because someone who has come onto the field" followed by 50 seconds of rare silence from Strong and Stu Holden. <a href="https://t.co/UgBEzggaf7">pic.twitter.com/UgBEzggaf7</a></p>— World Soccer Talk (@worldsoccertalk) <a href="https://twitter.com/worldsoccertalk/status/1597324651663093760?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 28, 2022</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



<p><strong>4. FOX’s dumbing down of soccer coverage continues</strong></p>



<p>If you thought that instance of FOX censoring itself from covering the World Cup was laughable, get a load of this. Consider these two examples of FOX Sports completely ignoring major World Cup talking points on their television coverage:</p>



<ol><li><strong>The OneLove armband controversy. </strong>Germany’s team photo pre-match with all of their players covering their mouths as a protest against FIFA trying to silence soccer players is arguably the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/qatar-tv-mock-germanys-team-photo-with-mouths-covered-20221202-WST-410848.html">most iconic image of the World Cup</a>. Except that FOX Sports’ live television coverage didn’t show it. And they never mentioned it or showed the image during its TV broadcasts. In fact, even before the Germany-Japan game kicked off, the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/germany-claims-extreme-blackmail-forced-armbands-change-20221122-WST-409423.html">OneLove armband controversy</a> was the biggest story in the World Cup. Yet FOX Sports continued to completely ignore the topic on television.<br></li><li><strong>Iran flag controversy.</strong> Two days prior to the USA versus Iran game, the biggest topic about the US national team was the controversy coming out of the <a href="https://www.twitter.com/usmnt" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">USMNT social media account</a>. Whether it was done accidentally or on purpose, US Soccer’s decision to remove the islamic republic symbol from the images of the Iran flag was <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/us-soccer-removes-images-that-supported-iran-protests-20221127-WST-410200.html">political dynamite</a>. So how did US broadcaster FOX Sports cover the story? They completely ignored it. And it’s not like FOX Sports to not talk about any topic involving the US Men’s National Team, right?</li></ol>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">One of the biggest takeaways from this World Cup is that Fox needs to change everything about its soccer coverage. Rip it all up and start again.</p>— Bob Williams (@WilliamsBob75) <a href="https://twitter.com/WilliamsBob75/status/1599425374718263296?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 4, 2022</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



<p><strong>5. FOX Sports can’t pronounce names of world-famous soccer stars</strong></p>



<p>When your “talent” has issues pronouncing world-class soccer players such as Manuel Neuer and Thomas Müller, as well as Serge Gnabry, you know you have problems. Host Jenny Taft and pundit Kelly Smith stumbled over the names of the German stars shortly before kickoff against Japan. What makes matters worse is that Smith did the same thing during FOX’s coverage of World Cup 2018.</p>



<p>It’s another example of the funniest mistakes of FOX’s World Cup. It shows a lack of preparation. How much worse can they get?</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Fox called Serge Gnabry “Zair-gay Guhnabery” and Yuto Nagotomo “Nagomoto”</p>— Jake Fenner (@jakefenner_) <a href="https://twitter.com/jakefenner_/status/1595400233223163905?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 23, 2022</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<p><strong>6. FOX’s bait-and-switch over World Cup start times</strong></p>



<p>If you’re like us who have spoken to many casual sports fans during the World Cup, one the most common pieces of feedback we’ve heard about FOX’s World Cup coverage is that they’re tricking viewers into tuning in an hour before kickoff time to watch the game.</p>



<p>Even before the World Cup, FOX Sports have been known for advertising games with the start of their pre-match coverage instead of the kickoff time like other nations do it. It’s a bait and switch tactic by FOX Sports to “force” people to watch their pre-match coverage.</p>



<p>Anyone who has watched this World Cup on FOX knows that they constantly promote upcoming coverage. However, as <a href="https://nypost.com/2022/11/21/fox-sports-disrespecting-fans-with-world-cup-dishonesty/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">New York Post reporter Andrew Marchand</a> eloquently put it:</p>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><p>“What time do you want to meet for lunch? Be there at 1PM, but I’m not showing up until 2PM to eat.</p><p>“This is how FOX Sports dishonestly promotes the World Cup start times. It is disrespectful, though, not unexpected.</p><p>“…Eight years in the waiting United States match against Wales, FOX’s graphics kept saying that ‘coverage begins at 1.’</p><p>“One problem? Kickoff was at 2.”</p></blockquote>



<h2>Final thoughts</h2>



<p>Based on the above errors, it’s not surprising for World Cup 2022, many soccer fans have switched to watching World Cup games on <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/telemundo/">Telemundo</a> and <a href="https://imp.i305175.net/c/330866/1313913/11640" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Peacock</a>. Others have found <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/americans-boycotting-foxs-world-cup-for-bbc-radio-20221202-WST-410323.html">alternate means</a>.</p>



<p>After all, FOX Sports have to remember that people are tuning in to watch the World Cup, not FOX. What FOX does offer is accessibility of the games, a studio set that looks like a million of dollars, and coverage that’s in the English language. They are the path of least resistance for people who don’t know any better. </p>



<p>Watch enough of FOX and you’ll quickly see that they try to make it all about them. Whether it’s the silly suits, bro culture on display, or posing in front of the cameras, this has devolved into some of the worst World Cup coverage we have ever seen on these shores. Yes, there has been <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tv/good-and-bad-from-fox-and-telemundos-world-cup-coverage-20221123-WST-409682.html">some good coverage on FOX</a>.</p>



<p>However, the funny thing about FOX is that they believe their own hype. And that’s perhaps the funniest thing about all of their World Cup coverage.</p>



<p><em>Photo credit: IMAGO / ANP</em></p>


<div style="background:#f9e4ea;padding:10px;">
<h3>Guide to World Cup 2022</h3>
<div style="padding:10px;">
Here are some resources to help you get the most out of the biggest event in soccer!
</div>
<div style="padding:10px;">
<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/world-cup-tv-schedule/"><strong>TV Schedule:</strong></a> All the info on <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/world-cup-tv-schedule/">where and when to watch</a> every game
</div><div style="padding:10px;">
<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/2022/04/04/analysis-of-world-cup-groups/"><strong>The Groups:</strong></a> We <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/2022/04/04/analysis-of-world-cup-groups/">breakdown each group</a> and all the teams
</div><div style="padding:10px;">
<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/world-cup-jerseys-for-qatar-2022/"><strong>The Kits:</strong></a> Check out <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/world-cup-jerseys-for-qatar-2022/">what every team will be wearing</a> on the field this fall
</div><div style="padding:10px;">
<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/predictor/"><strong>Predictor:</strong></a> Play out every scenario with our <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/predictor/">World Cup Predictor</a>
</div><div style="padding:10px;">
<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/2022/04/05/world-cup-bracket-free-download/"><strong>World Cup Bracket:</strong></a> Map out the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/2022/04/05/world-cup-bracket-free-download/">entire tournament</a>, from the groups to the final
</div><div style="padding:10px;">
<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/category/world-cup-2022/"><strong>World Cup Hub:</strong></a> Your one stop for <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/category/world-cup-2022/">everything Qatar 2022</a>
</div>
</div>



<p></p>


FOX's comedy of errors at Qatar 2022 is a case study on how not to broadcast soccer. Here are the funniest mistakes of FOX's World Cup.

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Funniest mistakes of FOX's World Cup coverage so far