World Cup draw announcers: Why NBC's Rebecca Lowe is joining Alexi Lalas, others on Fox broadcast

Jake Mozarsky

•
World Cup draw announcers: Why NBC's Rebecca Lowe is joining Alexi Lalas, others on Fox broadcast image

Fox's 2026 FIFA World Cup coverage has taken it to another level, bringing in NBC's Rebecca Lowe for the summer tournament.

Lowe — who currently hosts NBC's Premier League coverage, along with the Olympics and Kentucky Derby — will join Fox's star-studded lineup as one of it's hosts for the World Cup.

“To have the chance to host the FIFA World Cup™ – the greatest event on Earth – in my adopted home country and help to continue to spread the word of the beautiful game across the U.S. Is truly a dream,” Lowe said in a press release. “I’m so thankful to both NBC and FOX and am already counting down the days until the tournament kicks off next summer.”

Here's more on Lowe and the other talent Fox has for the tournament.

2026 WORLD CUP HQ: Latest World Cup news | Full World Cup schedule | Buy World Cup tickets

World Cup draw announcers

Though Lowe will not be on for the World Cup draw, Fox has five well-known personalities in the studio lineup: Alexi Lalas, Thierry Henry, Jenny Taft, Rob Stone, and Stu Holden.

This veteran crew is anchored by the addition of French football legend Thierry Henry, who will make his debut for the network as one of its lead analysts after a successful stint covering European club football for CBS. Henry joins the established core of Rob Stone, who will anchor the broadcast, and Jenny Taft, who will handle anchoring and reporting duties.

The crew is rounded out by former USMNT stars and well-known analysts Alexi Lalas and Stu Holden, who will provide instant analysis and reaction as the 48-team bracket is revealed live from the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C.

The network has planned three and a half hours of live coverage, officially kicking off the countdown to the biggest World Cup in history.

BUY NOW: Get tickets to the 2026 FIFA World Cup on StubHub

Rob Stone (Studio Host)

Stone is Fox Sports' lead soccer studio host, known for his versatility across numerous sports, including college football, college basketball and the Professional Bowlers Association. A former collegiate soccer player at Colgate University, Stone has been integral to Fox's coverage of multiple FIFA World Cups.

Thierry Henry (analyst)

Henry is widely regarded as one of the greatest strikers in soccer history. The French legend's playing career included winning the 1998 FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 2000 with France, and becoming the all-time leading scorer for Arsenal FC.

After playing, he transitioned into coaching and punditry, notably working for Sky Sports and CBS, before joining FOX Sports as a lead analyst for the 2026 cycle.

Alexi Lalas (Analyst)

Lalas is an American soccer icon best known for being a standout defender on the U.S. Men’s National Team during the 1994 FIFA World Cup, where his distinctive look and style made him a star. He became the first American to play in Italy's top division, Serie A, joining Padova.

Following his playing career, Lalas served as a general manager for multiple MLS clubs before becoming one of the most visible and outspoken analysts in American soccer media.

Stu Holden (Analyst)

Holden is a former professional midfielder for the U.S. Men’s National Team, where he represented the country at the 2010 FIFA World Cup. He played professionally for the Houston Dynamo in MLS and the Bolton Wanderers in the English Premier League before recurring knee injuries led to his retirement.

He quickly transitioned to broadcasting and is now a lead game analyst for FOX Sports, highly respected for his articulate, tactical breakdown of the game.

Jenny Taft (Reporter/Host)

Taft is the lead college football sideline reporter for Fox — usually on Fox's "Big Noon" game with Gus Johnson and Joel Klatt — and frequently contributes to the network's major international soccer coverage. Taft notably gained acclaim during the 2018 World Cup for her ability to conduct interviews in fluent French. 

MORE WORLD CUP NEWS:

Why is Rebecca Lowe on the Fox broadcast?

Lowe will join Fox's team for the 2026 World Cup, which is set to be the biggest edition ever of the tournament.

“Fox Sports is thrilled to welcome Rebecca to our team for FIFA World Cup 2026™,” said FOX Sports President of Production & Operations/Executive Producer Brad Zager. “Rebecca is a world-class presenter and one of the most respected and revered voices in the global soccer landscape. We look forward to having her help lead the conversation among our roster of esteemed broadcasters and are grateful to NBC Sports for granting Rebecca the opportunity to cover the tournament with Fox.” 

For over a decade, Lowe has been the familiar face and lead host of NBC Sports' Premier League coverage in the United States. This tenure has built a strong connection and level of trust with American soccer fans, making her a natural fit for the biggest soccer event on American soil.

Since Lowe remains the primary host for NBC's Premier League coverage, Fox had to formally seek and was granted permission from NBC Sports to secure her services specifically for the 2026 World Cup. This is a rare accommodation in media sports rights.

How to watch FIFA World Cup draw

The 2026 FIFA World Cup Draw is scheduled for Friday, December 5, 2025, and will be held at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. The main draw ceremony itself is scheduled to begin at 12:00 p.m. ET. In the United States, fans can watch the event on Fox, with the network starting its pre-draw coverage at 11:30 a.m. ET and continuing with post-draw analysis until 3:00 p.m. 

Additionally, the entire draw ceremony will be available to stream globally via FIFA.com and the Official FIFA YouTube Channel.

MORE WORLD CUP NEWS:

Contributing Writer