FOX Sports has hired Chad Johnson, the former NFL wide receiver, as an analyst to appear on the network’s World Cup Tonight recap show this November and December. The show is more or less a talk show that airs every night throughout the tournament.
The goal of the show is to get the perspectives of soccer stars, personalities and experts on the World Cup. In particular, it won’t just be analysts debating tactics. Instead, expect a funnier twist on World Cup coverage.
That’s clearly evident in a talented and entertaining trio of names who are at FOX’s World Cup tonight.
See World Cup 2022
Includes: FIFA World Cup, Gold Cup + 84 Sports Channels
7 day free trial
World Cup crew tonight
The three permanent names that will appear on the show are Kate Abdo, Maurice Edu and Chad Johnson. Fans of the Champions League coverage on Paramount+ are familiar with Kate Abdo. At CBS, she anchors the coverage alongside Thierry Henry, Jamie Carragher and Micah Richards. This is Abdo’s fourth FIFA World Cup as part of the FOX Sports family. Previous installments of hers returned at Russia 2018, then at a pair of Women’s World Cups in 2015 and 2019.
Joining Abdo is Maurice Edu, who is a FOX regular regardless of the competition being covered. The former USMNT player provided studio analysis for FOX during the 2019 Women’s World Cup. In her playing days, Edu represented the United States at the 2010 World Cup, making three appearances in the team’s four matches. Now a regular FOX Sports pundit, he appears on international soccer coverage and Major League Soccer.
The latest top name for FOX’s World Cup Tonight is Chad Johnson, a former NFL standout wide receiver who is also a football fan. While Johnson, formerly known as Chad Ochocinco, is widely remembered for his time on the field, he does have some experience in the world of soccer. Of course, he’s not as extensive as someone like Maurice Edu or the other analysts hoped to be on FOX’s World Cup team. In 2011, Johnson had a four-day trial with Sporting Kansas City. Additionally, he earned some extra points and kickoffs with the Cincinnati Bengals during his time in the NFL. After all, he played competitive soccer growing up, according to FOX.
Special guests
Throughout the tournament and the World Cup Tonight broadcasts, there will be guests to act as a third analyst on the show. According to FOX, these surprise guests will not necessarily be famous names in the world of soccer. Instead, they could be notable names who have a passionate interest in the World Cup. Thus, they provide a certain sense of fandom and relatability for those watching at home.
When the 2022 World Cup rolls around, FOX plans to air the show every night at midnight on FOX in every time zone in the United States. However, there are select instances where it is available on other channels at different times. For example, FOX plans to broadcast World Cup Tonight on FS1 at 7 pm ET during the tournament holidays. That includes Thanksgiving on November 24 and Black Friday on November 25. The latter is when the United States plays England in the country’s most anticipated group stage matchup. Finally, World Cup Tonight is also available at 7pm ET on FS1 on Sunday, December 18, following the World Cup Final.
For those who remember watching World Cup Tonight from World Cup 2018, the late-night show was difficult to watch and a disaster. Originally presented by Fernando Fiore and starring a motley crew of characters, the 2022 edition couldn’t be worse than the 2018 one, so it’s likely to at least be seen this time.
Additional reporting by Christopher Harris
Photo Credit: IMAGO/Icon Sportswire
