John Skipper, the former president of ESPN, isn't exactly a fan of what Fox is bringing to the table for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. In a recent episode of Pablo Torre Finds Out, Skipper let loose on the network that currently holds the rights to soccer's biggest event.
"Does it bother me that I put on the television and I have to watch Fox in order to see the World Cup? Yeah, hell yeah, it bothers me," Skipper said, via Awful Announcing. He didn't stop there, offering a backhanded compliment: "Somebody asked me how they were doing in production, and I finally found the right answer. It's the second-greatest production of the World Cup ever. So they're doing okay. But it's not the greatest production of the World Cup ever."
Skipper, who joined ESPN in 1997 and later became its president, took pride in the network's past World Cup broadcasts. He argued that ESPN's coverage in 2006, 2010, and 2014 was far superior to what Fox is delivering now. "We built the World Cup in '06, '10, and '14. We celebrated the event, we spent a boatload of money doing stories," he recalled. He highlighted specific examples, like Wright Thompson reporting from the favelas and Sal Masekela taking viewers inside Soweto, with music by Hugh Masekela.
The contrast was stark, in Skipper's view. "I watched Netherlands-Morocco the other night, what a game, and it's over. They go to like nine hours of commercials, and I think James Corden is coming on for some reason. …I wanted to watch five hours of commentary, to listen to people break the game down."
While Skipper's critique is sharp, the on-field action has been nothing short of thrilling. In just the past three days, fans have seen Morocco stun the Netherlands in a penalty shootout, England rally past DR Congo 2-1, and the United States hold on for a 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina despite being down a man. The tournament has also sparked fan backlash over perceived bias in Fox's coverage.
With the Round of 32 set to resume Thursday, matches include Spain vs. Austria, Portugal vs. Croatia, and Switzerland vs. Algeria. The drama is far from over, and fans are already debating the quality of the broadcast. Some have even pointed to viral moments that transcend the network's production.
Skipper's comments echo a broader sentiment among soccer purists who miss ESPN's immersive approach. Whether Fox can silence its critics remains to be seen, but one thing's for sure: the World Cup itself continues to deliver unforgettable moments.
