FOX Sports is adding one of international soccer’s most recognizable names to its coverage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The network announced that former French star and World Cup champion Thierry Henry will serve as one of its lead analysts for next year’s expanded tournament.
The move brings one of the sport’s most decorated strikers to the most-watched soccer event in the world. In a statement, FOX Sports President of Production & Operations and Executive Producer Brad Zager said Henry’s arrival reinforces the network’s ambition to elevate its coverage in a year when the World Cup will be bigger than ever.
“Thierry Henry’s name is synonymous with the best of the beautiful game,” Zager said. “As one of soccer’s elite, we are elated to add Thierry’s distinguished resume to our talent roster for the biggest World Cup ever.”
Henry will make his on-air debut for the network Friday, December 5, during FOX’s 3½-hour live coverage of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final Draw beginning at 11:30 a.m. ET. It marks his first U.S. World Cup broadcast assignment and his first step into a central role for next summer.
For Henry, the opportunity adds another chapter to a storied career that already includes championships, coaching experience, and widely praised broadcast work in both the U.K. and U.S.
“It’s an honor and privilege to be part of the World Cup coverage for FOX Sports,” Henry said. “For me, the World Cup is the ultimate sporting event and to join the team and still have some involvement in the tournament fills me with a great deal of excitement. The draw in Washington tomorrow means we are close to the start. I can’t wait.”
The former Arsenal legend remains one of the most prolific forwards in global soccer history. Henry scored 51 goals in 123 appearances for France and set the club scoring record at Arsenal with 228 goals. His resume includes back-to-back European Golden Boots and three straight Domestic Golden Boots. He also won two English Player of the Year awards. He earned five French Player of the Year honors as well. All were groundbreaking achievements at the time.
Henry played in four World Cups for France, beginning with the country’s 1998 championship run on home soil. His club career spanned Europe with Arsenal, AS Monaco, FC Barcelona and Juventus. He moved to Major League Soccer in 2010 to join the New York Red Bulls, then retired in 2014. Henry later moved into coaching with AS Monaco and CF Montréal. He also worked with the Belgium National Team and France’s U21 and U23 squads.
FOX Sports has not yet announced its full 2026 broadcast lineup. The network is preparing for its largest World Cup production ever. The tournament runs from June 11 to July 19. All 104 matches will air on FOX and FS1. Every game will also stream on FOX One and the FOX Sports App. The 69 matches scheduled for FOX represent the most ever carried on broadcast television.
The 2026 tournament will be the first hosted by three countries — the United States, Mexico and Canada — and will expand to 48 teams competing in 16 host cities. Eleven of those cities are in the United States, including Atlanta, Dallas, Los Angeles, Miami, Philadelphia, Seattle and the Bay Area.
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