Meet the Global Voices Behind Telemundo's FIFA World Cup Coverage: The Announcers Who Will Define This Summer
The network's star-studded roster of legendary experts includes Argentina’s Gabriel Bautistuta, USA’s Jozy Altidore, Portugal’s Nuno Gomes, Argentina’s Maxi Rodríguez, and Honduras’ Carlos Pavón.
May 21, 2026
Telemundo has unveiled the full group of former players and coaches who will shape its coverage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, bringing together a mix of global stars, World Cup veterans, and some of the most recognizable names in the sport.
The network, which holds exclusive Spanish-language rights to the tournament in the United States, is leaning heavily on firsthand experience. Across the roster are players who have won the World Cup, captained national teams, and spent years competing at the highest levels of club and international soccer.
The lineup now also includes several newly announced global soccer icons, including Argentine striker Gabriel Batistuta, widely regarded as one of the greatest forwards of his generation; former U.S. Men’s National Team standout Jozy Altidore; Portuguese national team star Nuno Gomes; Argentine midfielder Maxi Rodríguez, remembered for his iconic World Cup goal against Mexico in 2006; and Honduran legend Carlos Pavón, the national team’s all-time leading scorer.
From Europe, Guti—best known for his time at Real Madrid—adds the perspective of a player recognized for creativity and control in midfield. He’s joined by Iván Zamorano, the Chilean forward known as “Bam Bam,” who became one of La Liga’s top scorers during his time in Spain.
Several players bring a defensive lens. Diego Lugano, Uruguay’s former captain, led his country to a World Cup semifinal in 2010, while Iván Ramiro Córdoba anchored Colombia’s back line for years and won multiple titles with Inter Milan, including the Champions League. Antonio Valencia, who captained Manchester United and Ecuador, also adds experience from both club and international play.
The group also includes Carlos Salcido, a key figure for Mexico across multiple World Cups, and Julio César Dely Valdés, one of Panama’s most influential strikers, who later managed the national team.
From the United States, Alejandro Bedoya brings a more recent perspective, with years of leadership at both the international level and in Major League Soccer.
Rounding out the group is José Pékerman, the Argentine coach known for leading both Argentina and Colombia on the World Cup stage and for developing generations of players.
Taken together, the roster spans decades of World Cup history and nearly every role on the field—from strikers and playmakers to defenders and coaches. For viewers, that likely translates to coverage that feels less scripted and more rooted in lived experience, with analysis coming from players who have been in the tournament themselves.
Telemundo will carry all 104 matches of the 2026 World Cup from June 11 to July 19, with most games airing on the main network and others on Universo. Every match will also stream live on Peacock and the Telemundo app, with coverage produced on-site across the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
The goal, at least in how the network is building this team, is straightforward: give fans a version of the World Cup explained by the people who know it best.
Where to Watch the FIFA World Cup 2026™
Telemundo will deliver more than 700 hours of World Cup programming from June 11 to July 19, 2026—the most ever for a Spanish-language presentation in the United States—including all 104 matches live. A total of 92 matches will air on Telemundo and 12 on Universo, marking the most FIFA World Cup™ matches ever broadcast on a U.S. network, regardless of language. Every match will stream live on Peacock and the Telemundo App, with on-site production at all 104 matches across the United States, Mexico, and Canada, providing unmatched access and real-time storytelling from every host venue.
As the streaming home of Telemundo, Peacock will deliver all 104 FIFA World Cup 2026™ matches live in Spanish, including two free matches, plus an all‑new Spanish‑language World Cup Hub. The platform will provide first‑ever Spanish‑language access to Peacock’s industry-leading features, including Visión de Campo, Multiview, Catch Up with Key Plays, Can’t Miss Highlights and Tourney Brackets. It will also offer a Spanish-language presentation that will let fans personalize their experience and first-ever Dolby Vision® 2 and Dolby Atmos® functionality, delivering unparalleled picture quality and immersive sound for every match.
