With 100 days remaining before the FIFA World Cup 2026 kicks off on Thursday, June 11, FOX Sports is using the milestone to signal that its buildup to the world’s most-watched sporting event has officially entered high gear.
The network, which serves as the English-language home of the tournament in the United States, marked the occasion Tuesday with a coordinated, company-wide rollout spanning television, digital, social and community initiatives designed to build national anticipation ahead of the 39-day competition across North America.
Eric Shanks, CEO and executive producer of FOX Sports, said the 100-day marker represents more than a countdown number, describing it as a visible checkpoint in what he called the most ambitious production effort in the company’s history.
“I’m incredibly proud of how everyone at FOX has come together to ring in 100 days to this iconic tournament as we prepare to deliver the most ambitious production in sports broadcast history,” said Shanks. “The coordination, dedication and planning taking place behind the scenes, here at home in the United States and in Mexico and Canada, reflect our commitment to creating the best presentation ever around the historic competition and we look forward to being America’s home where fans unite to watch and celebrate FIFA World Cup 2026 over 39 days this summer.”
As part of the celebration, FOX launched a promotional roadblock that ran across its broadcast network, cable properties and digital platforms, creating saturation-style visibility throughout the day.
Programming on FOX Sports channels carried a special on-screen World Cup graphic, while talent from the network’s soccer coverage appeared across multiple FOX properties, including FS1’s The Herd with Colin Cowherd and First Things First, in addition to news and lifestyle programming, underscoring the company’s cross-platform synergy in the months leading up to the tournament.
FOX Soccer analysts Alexi Lalas, Stu Holden, Maurice Edu and Rob Stone made guest appearances to preview storylines and reinforce the network’s role as the central destination for coverage. U.S. Men’s National Team defender Chris Richards also joined FS1 programming, further blending current player insight with studio analysis as FOX works to widen its reach beyond traditional soccer audiences.
On the digital side, FOX Sports rolled out a pair of daily content series counting down to the opening match. A “100 Moments” campaign will revisit standout highlights in tournament history, while “100 Fun Facts” aims to spotlight lesser-known records and storylines to engage casual fans and longtime followers alike.
FOXSports.com is also publishing preview features examining teams and players expected to shape the 2026 field, reinforcing the network’s editorial commitment alongside its broadcast plans.
Beyond on-air and online efforts, FOX partnered with Boys & Girls Clubs of America to host a youth soccer festival in Southern California, bringing together more than 100 participants for clinics and games alongside FOX broadcasters and former national team players. The event aligns with broader social impact initiatives tied to the Soccer Forward Foundation and Common Goal, as FOX integrates philanthropic outreach into its World Cup strategy.
The 2026 tournament will mark FOX Sports’ sixth presentation of the FIFA World Cup, following coverage of the men’s events in 2018 and 2022 and the women’s tournaments in 2015, 2019 and 2023. As the countdown continues, the network appears intent on ensuring that the road to kickoff becomes as visible — and as expansive — as the tournament itself.
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