FIFA — Page 4

ABC News Coverage for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil

May 2, 2014 By admin

Cross-Platform Reporting from Brazil begins Thursday, June 12

ABC News will work closely with ESPN to cover the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil beginning Thursday, June 12. Throughout the tournament ABC News will broadcast from ESPN’s studios at the Clube dos Marimbas on Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro to provide extensive coverage across all programs and platforms.

ABC News Anchor Bob Woodruff will report for ESPN across all platforms and will contribute to ABC News reports along with ESPN Correspondents Jeremy Schaap and Julie Foudy. ABC News Correspondent Paula Faris will report from Brazil on the tournament, athletes, breaking news and other highlights. In addition, ESPN’s World Cup features and interviews will air across ABC News programs, including “Good Morning America,” “World News” and “Nightline.”

ABC News Digital will provide updates of the tournament daily as well as offer users sharable content that will drive the conversation and appeal to fans and novices alike, including an interactive bracket challenge, quizzes and explainers that focus on the intersection of the tournament and pop culture. Users will also be able to tailor their own experiences based on their individual interests. In addition, ABC News Digital will serve up original digital videos from correspondents out in the field as they explore the culture in and around Brazil.

ABC News Radio will also deliver extensive coverage of the 2014 FIFA World Cup. ABC News correspondents will provide reports on newscasts and sportscasts to ABC News Radio affiliates and digital partners from Brazil throughout the tournament. ABC NewsOne, the network’s affiliate news service, will provide reports for more than 200 ABC affiliates and clients.

ESPN and the 2014 FIFA World Cup

The 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil will be ESPN’s eighth World Cup and most comprehensive presentation to date. ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC will combine to air all 64 matches live and in high definition (June 12 – July 13). All ESPN and ESPN2 games will be available on WatchESPN, while ABC matches will be available on WATCH ABC. ESPN3, ESPN’s live multi-screen sports network available in more than 85 million homes, will present matches live in multiple languages (other than English and Spanish). ESPN’s presentation will also include comprehensive news and information coverage of the month-long soccer showcase with renowned journalists reporting on the tournament and the host country of Brazil. ESPN garnered more than 40 industry awards, including three Sports Emmys, for its presentation of 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa – more accolades than any single event in the company’s history.

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ESPN Radio to Present All 64 Matches of the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Live

May 1, 2014 By admin

Veteran Soccer Personalities Dellacamera and Smyth Return

ESPN Radio will broadcast live all 64 games of the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, from the Brazil vs. Croatia opener on June 12 through the Final on July 13. This will be ESPN Radio’s second FIFA World Cup, having also done all 64 games in 2010 from South Africa.

All matches will also be streamed online on ESPNRadio.com and available via the ESPN Radio App. All of ESPN Radio’s FIFA World Cup broadcasts will also be featured on SiriusXM, with 56 of the games airing on SiriusXM Channel 84. In cases where two matches are airing simultaneously, one will air on SiriusXM 84, with the other on SiriusXM 85.

Veteran FIFA World Cup soccer commentators JP Dellacamera (play-by-play) and analyst Tommy Smyth will return to ESPN Radio for Brazil 2014, having called matches during the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Dellacamera has called the last seven FIFA World Cups for a variety of networks and has served as NBC’s lead soccer commentator at the Summer Olympics. Smyth, who has called thousands of international matches from leagues all over the world including the UEFA Champions League for ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPN International, served as a game and studio analyst during ESPN’s UEFA European Football Championship (2008 and 2012) coverage and has worked five FIFA World Cups (1994, ’98, 2002, ’06 and ‘10).

Other ESPN Radio commentators and analysts

Mark Donaldson (play-by-play) has served as a soccer commentator and pundit for ESPN Radio since 2010, calling UEFA Champions League, La Liga and Scottish Premier League matches, among others;
Ross Dyer (play-by-play) previously called matches during ESPN Radio’s presentation of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, as well as Italy’s Serie A, Spain’s La Liga, World Cup qualifying matches for ESPN International;
Shaka Hislop (analyst) is an ESPN Soccer analyst and standout former professional football (soccer) player and regular contributor to ESPN FC;
Paul Mariner (analyst) works as a contributor to ESPN’s soccer studio show, ESPN FC, and is a former professional soccer player and coach, most recently serving as Director of Player development and head coach for MLS’ Toronto FC;
Shep Messing (analyst), a former NASL and U.S. National team keeper, has provided analysis for ESPN during the 2002, 2006 and 2010 World Cups;
Janusz Michallik (analyst) is a former U.S. National team defender and current ESPN soccer analyst.

News and Information

Additionally, ESPN Radio will have a robust news and information schedule supporting the World Cup match schedule, with SportsCenter Expresses and World Cup Expresses during evening and weekend programming, as well as special one-hour FIFA World Cup Today shows at select times during the tournament. ESPN Radio will also produce a 30-minute ESPN FC program, which will air multiple times each night of the World Cup, and will also be available as podcasts on ESPNRadio.com and through the ESPN Radio App. Leading up to the June 12 opening match, ESPN Radio will air World Cup vignettes regularly.

Schedule

U.S. MEN’S NATIONAL TEAM:

The U.S. Men’s National Team, currently ranked No. 13 in the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking, will kick-off its 2014 FIFA World Cup campaign againstGhana (ranked No. 37) on ESPN and WatchESPN on Monday, June 16, at 5:55 p.m. from the Estadio das Dunas in Natal. The U.S. team’s first-round matches:

Date	Time (ET)	Match	Site
Mon 6/16	5:30 p.m.	Ghana vs. USA	Estadio das Dunas (Natal)
Sun 6/22	5:30 p.m.	USA vs. Portugal	Arena Amazonia (Manaus)
Thu 6/26	11:30 a.m.	USA vs. Germany	Arena Pernambuco (Recife)

2014 WORLD CUP ESPN Radio SCHEDULE

All times EASTERN, Schedule is subject to change

Date	Time (ET)	Match	Group	Site	Match #
Thu 6/12	3:55 p.m.	Brazil vs. Croatia	A	Sao Paulo	1
Fri 6/13	11:55 a.m.	Mexico vs. Cameroon	A	Natal	2
	2:55 p.m.	Spain vs. Netherlands	B	Salvador	3
	5:55 p.m.	Chile vs. Australia	B	Cuiaba	4
Sat 6/14	11:55 a.m.	Colombia vs. Greece	C	Belo Horizonte	5
	2:55 p.m.	Uruguay vs. Costa Rica	D	Fortaleza	7
	5:55 p.m.	England vs. Italy	D	Manaus	8
	8:55 p.m.	Ivory Coast vs. Japan	C	Recife	6
Sun 6/15	11:55 a.m.	Switzerland vs. Ecuador	E	Brasilia	9
	2:55 p.m.	France vs. Honduras	E	Porto Alegre	10
	5:55 p.m.	Argentina vs. Bosnia-Herzegovina	F	Rio de Janeiro	11
Mon 6/16	11:55 a.m.	Germany vs. Portugal	G	Salvador	13
	2:55 p.m.	Iran vs. Nigeria	F	Curitiba	12
	5:30 p.m.	Ghana vs. United States	G	Natal	14
Tue 6/17	11:55 a.m.	Belgium vs. Algeria	H	Belo Horizonte	15
	2:55 p.m.	Brazil vs. Mexico	A	Fortaleza	17
	5:55 p.m.	Russia vs. South Korea	H	Cuiaba	16
Wed 6/18	11:55 a.m.	Australia vs. Netherlands	B	Porto Alegre	20
	2:55 p.m.	Spain vs. Chile	B	Rio de Janeiro	19
	5:55 p.m.	Cameroon vs. Croatia	A	Manaus	18
Thu 6/19	11:55 a.m.	Colombia vs. Ivory Coast	C	Brasilia	21
	2:55 p.m.	Uruguay vs. England	D	Sao Paulo	23
	5:55 p.m.	Japan vs. Greece	C	Natal	22
Fri 6/20	11:55 a.m.	Italy vs. Costa Rica	D	Recife	24
	2:55 p.m.	Switzerland vs. France	E	Salvador	25
	5:55 p.m.	Honduras vs. Ecuador	E	Curitiba	26
Sat 6/21	11:55 a.m.	Argentina vs. Iran	F	Belo Horizonte	27
	2:55 p.m.	Germany vs. Ghana	G	Fortaleza	29
	5:55 p.m.	Nigeria vs. Bosnia-Herzegovina	F	Cuiaba	28
Sun 6/22	11:55 a.m.	Belgium vs. Russia	H	Rio de Janeiro	31
	2:55 p.m.	South Korea vs. Algeria	H	Porto Alegre	32
	5:30 p.m.	United States vs. Portugal	G	Manaus	30
Mon 6/23	11:55 a.m.	Netherlands vs. Chile	B	Sao Paulo	36
	11:55 a.m.	Australia vs. Spain	B	Curitiba	35
	3:55 p.m.	Croatia vs. Mexico	A	Recife	34
	3:55 p.m.	Cameroon vs. Brazil	A	Brasilia	33
Tue 6/24	11:55 a.m.	Italy vs. Uruguay	D	Natal	39
	11:55 a.m.	Costa Rica vs. England	D	Belo Horizonte	40
	3:55 p.m.	Japan vs. Colombia	C	Cuiaba	37
	3:55 p.m.	Greece vs. Ivory Coast	C	Fortaleza	38
Wed 6/25	11:55 a.m.	Nigeria vs. Argentina	F	Porto Alegre	43
	11:55 a.m.	Bosnia-Herzegovina vs. Iran	F	Salvador	44
	3:55 p.m.	Ecuador vs. France	E	Rio de Janeiro	42
	3:55 p.m.	Honduras vs. Switzerland	E	Manaus	41
Thu 6/26	11:30 a.m.	United States vs. Germany	G	Recife	45
	11:55 a.m.	Portugal vs. Ghana	G	Brasilia	46
	3:55 p.m.	South Korea vs. Belgium	H	Sao Paulo	47
	3:55 p.m.	Algeria vs. Russia	H	Curitiba	48

2^nd Stage – Round of 16

Date	Time (ET)	Matchup	Site	Match #
Sat 6/28	11:30 a.m.	1A vs. 2B	Belo Horizonte	49
	3:30 p.m.	1C vs. 2D	Rio de Janeiro	50
Sun 6/29	11:30 a.m.	1B vs. 2A	Fortaleza	51
	3:30 p.m.	1D vs. 2C	Recife	52
Mon 6/30	11:30 a.m.	1E vs. 2F	Brasilia	53
	3:30 p.m.	1G vs. 2H	Porto Alegre	54
Tue 7/1	11:30 a.m.	1F vs. 2E	Sao Paulo	55
	3:30 p.m.	1H vs. 2G	Salvador	56

2^nd Stage – Quarterfinals

Date	Time (ET)	Matchup	Site	Match #
Fri 7/4	11:30 a.m.	Winners 53 vs. 54	Rio de Janeiro	58
	3:30 p.m.	Winners 49 vs. 50	Fortaleza	57
Sat 7/5	11:30 a.m.	Winners 55 vs. 56	Brasilia	60
	3:30 p.m.	Winners 51 vs. 52	Salvador	59

2^nd Stage – Semifinals

Date	Time (ET)	Matchup	Site	Match #
Tue 7/8	3:30 p.m.	Winners 57 vs. 58	Belo Horizonte	61
Wed 7/9	3:30 p.m.	Winners 59 vs. 60	Sao Paulo	62

Third Place Match

Date	Time (ET)	Matchup	Site	Match #
Sat 7/12	3:55 p.m.	Losers – 61 vs. 62	Brasilia	63

2014 FIFA World Cup Title Match

Date	Time (ET)	Matchup	Site	Match #
Sun 7/13	2:30 p.m.	Winners – 61 vs. 62	Rio de Janeiro	64

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ESPN Names Four Additional Analysts for 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil

April 4, 2014 By admin

Efan Ekoku returns; Kasey Keller, Alejandro Moreno and Stewart Robson to make their ESPN World Cup debuts

ESPN has named four additional analysts – Efan Ekoku, Kasey Keller, Alejandro Moreno and Stewart Robson – to its commentator team for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil this summer. The group of analysts will contribute to ESPN’s English-language match and studio coverage in the United States during the month-long tournament, June 12 – July 13.

Ekoku, the former Nigerian national team player, will again work primarily as a match analyst after calling the opening match and World Cup final in South Africa 2010. Keller, Moreno and Robson will make their ESPN World Cup debut, though all currently or have previously contributed to the company’s global football coverage.

Moreno, the former Venezuelan national team player, will continue to call Mexican National Team matches with Fernando Palomo on ESPN and will work as co-commentator and studio analyst during the tournament.

Keller, the former United States goalkeeper and studio analyst for MLS Cup on ESPN, will split roles as both as studio pundit and match co-commentator in Brazil. Robson, ESPN’s lead match analyst for the 2013 Confederations Cup, returns to the network in a similar role for Brazil 2014.

“Our team of analysts for the 2014 FIFA World Cup is one the best collections of football minds assembled anywhere for this global sporting event,” said Jed Drake, ESPN’s executive producer, 2014 FIFA World Cup. “Beyond their knowledge of football on its biggest stage, their passion for the sport is infectious and resonates with viewers.”

ESPN’s 11-member analyst team for Brazil 2014 represents a highly diverse, global roster of international football experts. Collectively, the commentators represent eight different countries including Steve McManaman, Stewart Robson (England); Alexi Lalas, Taylor Twellman, Kasey Keller (USA); Michael Ballack (Germany); Efan Ekoku (Nigeria); Alejandro Moreno (Venezuela); Gilberto Silva (Brazil); Santiago Solari (Argentina); and Ruud van Nistelrooy (Netherlands).

ESPN’s broadcast assignments for the World Cup in Brazil – including match analyst pairings – will be announced later this spring.

Bios:

Ekoku scored an impressive 16 goals in 38 appearances for Norwich City during the 1993-94 Premier League season, earning a spot on the Nigerian National Team for the 1994 FIFA World Cup. He currently works as a co-commentator for Premier League Productions, where he is heard across the English-speaking world wherever Premier League matches are televised.

Keller, a member of the U.S. team roster for four World Cup tournaments (1990, 1998, 2002 and 2006), is the most-capped goalkeeper in U.S. Men’s National Team history with 102 appearances. He is a studio analyst for select Major League Soccer and U.S. Men’s National Team telecasts, and he served as co-commentator for the 2013 Confederations Cup and the UEFA EURO 2012 on ESPN.

Moreno, who played 41 matches for Venezuela from 2004-11, ended his 11-year Major League Soccer career in 2012 and made a seamless transition to broadcasting. He is the English-language match analyst for Mexican soccer – “El Tri” and Liga MX club matches – on ESPN networks, as well as studio analyst for ESPN FC and MLS Cup on ESPN.

Robson, a midfielder, played top-division football for 13 seasons with Arsenal, West Ham United and Coventry City from 1981-94. Since he retired from professional soccer, Robson has been a television commentator for Arsenal TV, UK’s international feed of FA Cup and ESPN UK.

ESPN Inc.’s 2014 FIFA World Cup in the United States

The 2014 FIFA World Cup will be ESPN’s eighth World Cup and most comprehensive presentation to date. ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC will combine to air all 64 matches live and in high definition (June 12 – July 13). All ESPN and ESPN2 games will be available on WatchESPN, while ABC matches will be available on WATCH ABC. ESPN3, ESPN’s live multi-screen sports network available in more than 85 million homes, will present matches live in multiple languages (other than English and Spanish).

ESPN’s presentation of the 2014 FIFA World Cup will include comprehensive news and information coverage of the month-long soccer showcase with renowned journalists reporting on the tournament and the host country of Brazil. Additional English-language coverage of the quadrennial event will total more than 90 hours of original programming and will include SportsCenter at the World Cup, a nightly World Cup Tonight program, ESPN FC World Cup Encore, a 30-minute pre-match show, halftime and post-match segments, as well as a World Cup-branded ESPN Films 30 for 30: Soccer Stories series, E:60 shows, and access-driven long-form storytelling features.

ESPN garnered more than 40 industry awards, including three Sports Emmys, for its presentation of 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa – more accolades than any single event in the company’s history.

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ESPN Play-by-Play Commentators for 2014 FIFA World Cup

March 20, 2014 By admin

Ian Darke leads team of six accomplished match announcers in Brazil

Led by Ian Darke, a team of top-tier international soccer television voices – Jon Champion, Adrian Healey, Daniel Mann, Fernando Palomo and Derek Rae – will serve as match commentators for ESPN’s English-language presentation of the 2014 FIFA World Cup in the United States this summer. In all, ESPN will employ six play-by-play commentators for the 64 matches (June 12 – July 13), two more than it utilized for South Africa 2010.

Darke, who was named ESPN’s lead play-by-play commentator in January, has earned acclaim as the premier English-language voice for marquee soccer telecasts in the United States. He will call the opener, final and all U.S. National Team matches, among others.

Among the additions, Champion has 20 years of broadcast experience in the United Kingdom with BBC, ITV and ESPN UK. He will make his debut calling the World Cup for a U.S. audience in Brazil. Mann, who voiced FIFA’s 3D World Cup telecasts carried by ESPN 3D four years ago, returns to call the quadrennial event exclusively for ESPN.

The popular Healey and Rae have worked past FIFA World Cup tournaments for ESPN, among other major tournaments. Palomo, who has become a very familiar voice calling matches in both English and Spanish for ESPN, will make his World Cup debut in Brazil.

“The commentator team we have assembled for the 2014 FIFA World Cup has the strong potential to be even better than the celebrated team of 2010,” said Jed Drake, ESPN’s executive producer, 2014 FIFA World Cup. “Individually and collectively, they rank among the top commentator teams on any event we have ever televised.”

Bios:

Champion is one of the United Kingdom’s most respected football announcers. He is heard in the UK and around the world on a weekly basis commentating on the top matches in English football including the Premier League, a league he has worked on since its inception.

Darke joined ESPN in August 2010 after his critically acclaimed work on the network’s award-winning presentation of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The past four years, he has voiced some of the seminal moments in televised soccer in the United States.

Healey is the lead voice for MLS on ESPN. The 2014 World Cup will be his seventh major international tournament for ESPN. He previously called the World Cup in 2006 and 2010, the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2007 and 2011, and UEFA European Football Championship in 2008 and 2012.

Mann was the lead voice for 3D telecasts of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. A seasoned match commentator, Mann currently works for UK-based Sky Sports, commentating on matches in the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, and World Cup qualifiers.

Palomo is the play-by-play voice for the Mexican National Team matches on ESPN and host of Fuera de Juego, ESPN Deportes and ESPN International’s highest-rated soccer program since 2006. He is also a former anchor of SportsCenter on ESPN Deportes.

Rae, a former British Sports Broadcaster of the Year, is best-known to U.S. viewers as the voice of the UEFA Champions League on ESPN from 2003-09. He has also provided play-by-play commentary for ESPN’s coverage of the UEFA European Football Championship in 2008 and 2012, in addition to the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

ESPN’s broadcast assignments for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil – including the match analyst pairings – will be announced later this spring.

ESPN Inc.’s 2014 FIFA World Cup in the United States

ESPN garnered more than 40 industry awards, including three Sports Emmys, for its presentation of 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa – more accolades than any single event in the company’s history.

ESPN and Past FIFA World Cup Tournaments (Men’s):

South Africa 2010 – All 64 matches live and in high definition. All studio programming originated from South Africa

Germany ’06 – All 64 matches live and in high definition

Korea/Japan ’02 – 58 ESPN and ESPN2 matches live (six tape-delayed broadcasts on ABC)

France ’98 – ESPN 27, ESPN2 23 and ABC Sports 14 (all 64 matches live)

USA ’94 – ESPN, 41, and ABC, 11 (all 52 matches)

Mexico ’86 – ESPN, 15 matches (U.S. cable television rights)

Spain ’82 – ESPN, 7 matches

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Budweiser and FOX Sports Bring RISE AS ONE to Life

March 6, 2014 By admin

sERIES HighlightinG six Inspirational Football Stories from Across the Globe will air in over 55 countries and PREMIERES MARCH 25 ON FOX SPORTS 1 in the U.S.

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS WITH FIFA WORLD CUP CHAMPIONS RONALDO, LILIAN THURAM PLUS OTHERS

New York, NY – (March 5, 2014) – Budweiser, the official beer sponsor of the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil^TM, today unveiled an all new partnership with FOX Sports for a groundbreaking documentary series showcasing six of the most unique football stories from around the globe. The new series, which will air in more than 55 countries around the world, is part of Budweiser’s fully integrated, global content series supporting its new Rise As One FIFA World Cup^TM campaign.

“The FIFA World Cup^TM is such a powerful moment in time which enables the world to join together in celebration of the world’s most popular sport,” said Andrew Sneyd, Global Vice President, Budweiser. “We are delighted to collaborate with FOX Sports on this new series and through the Rise As One campaign, to share the many defining moments of football history with the millions of fans around the globe.”

The robust series of football documentaries were developed in collaboration with FOX Sports, one of the most prominent supporters of the sport globally and home of the 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cups. Leading up to the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil^TM, the six thirty-minute episodes celebrate humanity and perseverance through the most powerful and uplifting stories rooted in world football and also demonstrate how the sport inspires the world to Rise As One. The first installment of this series will premiere on March 25^th in the U.S. and Puerto Rico on FOX Sports 1, America’s new sports network. Globally, these films will be distributed in more than 55 countries.

“The passion and dedication that unites footballers and fans worldwide is unrivaled, incredibly inspiring, and we are thrilled to partner with Budweiser to help tell these stories,” said Michael Bloom, FOX Sports’ Senior Vice President of Original Programming. “We think that football fans across the globe will enjoy this series and learn more about how transformative and impactful the beautiful game has been.”

Veteran filmmakers Scott Boggins and Gabriel Spitzer, who have a combined 15 Emmy Awards, joined forces to produce and direct the Rise as One documentary series that features exclusive interviews with football legends including FIFA World Cup^TM Champions Ronaldo and Lilian Thuram. The FOX SPORTS ORIGINALS production premieres Tuesday, March 25 at 8:00 PM ET on FOX Sports 1, and below are brief descriptions of the six episodes:

· Power of Unity: In Power of Unity, the Japanese Women’s national team overcame intense personal pain to inspire their country after the 2011 tsunami and Fukushima nuclear disaster.

· Breaking Barriers: In Breaking Barriers, USA and Iran go head-to-head at the 1998 World Cup and amid volatile politics and intense scrutiny, broke soft diplomacy on the world stage.

· One Nation: In One Nation, the French Men’s national team uses the 1998 World Cup to help heal the racial splits within their nation and sport.

· Match for Peace: The story of how an exhibition match between World Cup champions Brazil and war torn Haiti, helped lift the spirits of the island nation during one of its darkest hours.

· Forever Heroes: Nearly 20 years after a plane crash killed all but three men from Zambia’s national team, Forever Heroes shows how the new survivor-led club overcame tragedy to capture the African Cup of Nations, just miles from the crash site.

· World War Truce: During a tense, frozen Christmas in World War I, German and British soldiers held a secret cease-fire to play a friendly soccer game.

In addition to its global partnership with FOX Sports, Budweiser also serves as the lead partner of the Kicking + Screening Soccer Film Festival, an annual series of soccer cultural events that brings together football and film enthusiasts to celebrate the beautiful game. Budweiser will debut two of its upcoming documentary series episodes on the big screen when the festival visits New York City from April 8 – 11, 2014. Tickets to the New York City festival are on sale now at kickingandscreening.com.

For more details on Budweiser’s creative content series, its partnership with FOX Sports and the Rise As One campaign, visit www.RiseAsOne.com.

About Budweiser & Football

Budweiser has a strong commitment to football globally, having served as official beer sponsor of the FIFA World Cup™ for over 25 years, and with an ongoing commitment through the 2018 and 2022 tournaments.

About Anheuser-Busch InBev

While Budweiser will serve as the official beer of the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil^™, Anheuser-Busch InBev will once again leverage its portfolio of beers around the world by extending local sponsorship rights to its leading brands in select football markets, including Brahma (Brazil), Harbin (China), Corona (Mexico), Jupiler (Belgium and The Netherlands), Siberian Crown (Russia), Hasseröder (Germany) and Beck’s (Italy), among others.

Anheuser-Busch InBev is a publicly traded company (Euronext: ABI) based in Leuven, Belgium, with American Depositary Receipts on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: BUD). It is the leading global brewer and one of the world’s top five consumer products companies. Beer, the original social network, has been bringing people together for thousands of years and our portfolio of well over 200 beer brands continues to forge strong connections with consumers. This includes global brands Budweiser®, Corona® and Stella Artois®; international brands Beck’s®, Leffe®, and Hoegaarden®; and local champions Bud Light®, Skol®, Brahma®, Antarctica®, Quilmes®, Victoria®, Modelo Especial®, Michelob Ultra®, Harbin®, Sedrin®, Klinskoye®, Sibirskaya Korona®, Chernigivske®, and Jupiler®. Anheuser-Busch InBev’s dedication to heritage and quality originates from the Den Hoorn brewery in Leuven, Belgium dating back to 1366 and the pioneering spirit of the Anheuser & Co brewery, with origins in St. Louis, USA since 1852. Geographically diversified with a balanced exposure to developed and developing markets, Anheuser-Busch InBev leverages the collective strengths of its more than 150,000 employees based in 24 countries worldwide. In 2013, AB InBev realized 43.2 billion USD revenue. The company strives to be the Best Beer Company in a Better World. For more information, please visit: www.ab-inbev.com.

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ESPN Schedule for 2014 FIFA World Cup

March 3, 2014 By admin

Extensive Studio Programming – Pre-Match Shows, SportsCenter, World Cup Tonight, ESPN FC World Cup Encore, and More

ESPN will present all 64 matches of the 2014 FIFA World Cup live and in high definition on ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC during its comprehensive coverage of the month-long tournament in Brazil, June 12 – July 13. Extensive studio programming originating from the host country is also planned, including pre-match shows, halftime and post-match segments.

ESPN will televise 43 World Cup matches, while ESPN2 will air 11. All ESPN and ESPN2 matches (and surrounding studio programming) will be available via WatchESPN.

ABC will broadcast 10 matches (all available on WATCH ABC), beginning with Colombia vs. Greece at 11:30 a.m. ET on Saturday, June 14, live from Estadio Mineirao in Belo Horizonte. The tournament will conclude on ABC with the title match Sunday, July 13, at 2:30 p.m. from Rio de Janeiro’s famed Estadio Do Maracana.

The opening match on Thursday, June 12, features host country and five-time World Cup champions Brazil vs. Croatia at 3:30 p.m. on ESPN and WatchESPN from Arena de Sao Paulo. The following day, Friday, June 13, at 3 p.m., ESPN will televise Spain vs. Netherlands, the much-anticipated rematch of the South Africa 2010 final (Spain won 1-0).

STUDIO PROGRAMMING – Pre-Match Shows, Halftime and Post-match Segments, SportsCenter, World Cup Tonight, ESPN FC World Cup Encore, and More:

ESPN’s coverage of every match will be preceded by a 30-minute pregame show, including teams walking onto the pitch, national anthems and ceremonial handshakes – all symbolic FIFA World Cup traditions. The 30-minute pre-match show, halftime and post-match segments will anchor the surround programming around each match presentation.

Special editions of SportsCenter will air between match telecasts on ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC. Additionally, ESPN’s flagship news and information program will follow all matches, except when a match precedes another live event on the network. On every match day, World Cup Tonight, ESPN’s definitive daily news, highlights and analysis program for the quadrennial event, will recap the day’s action. ESPN FC World Cup Encore – which will generally air for two hours on match days on ESPN, ESPN2 or ESPNEWS – will feature condensed versions of the best action in the day’s matches with analysis from ESPN FC pundits.

U.S. MEN’S NATIONAL TEAM:

The U.S. Men’s National Team, currently ranked No. 13 in the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking, will kick-off its 2014 FIFA World Cup campaign against Ghana (ranked No. 37) on ESPN and WatchESPN on Monday, June 16, at 5:30 p.m. from the Estadio das Dunas in Natal. The U.S. team’s first round matches (all available on WatchESPN):

Mon 6/16	5:30 p.m.	ESPN	Ghana vs. USA	Estadio das Dunas (Natal)
Sun 6/22	5:30 p.m.	ESPN	USA vs. Portugal	Arena Amazonia (Manaus)
Thu 6/26	11:30 a.m.	ESPN	USA vs. Germany	Arena Pernambuco (Recife)

2014 FIFA World Cup Groupings (World Rankings, February 2014)

Group A	Group B	Group C	Group D
1 Brazil (9)	1 Spain (1)	1 Colombia (5)	1 Uruguay (7)
2 Croatia (16)	2 Netherlands (10)	2 Greece (12)	2 Costa Rica (35)
3 Mexico (21)	3 Chile (14)	3 Ivory Coast (23)	3 England (15)
4 Cameroon (46)	4 Australia (53)	4 Japan (50)	4 Italy (8)

Group E	Group F	Group G	Group H
1 Switzerland (6)	1 Argentina (3)	1 Germany (2)	1 Belgium (11)
2 Ecuador (24)	2 Bosnia and Herzegovina (17)	2 Portugal (4)	2 Algeria (26)
3 France (18)	3 Iran (38)	3 Ghana (37)	3 Russia (22)
4 Honduras (40)	4 Nigeria (47)	4 USA (13)	4 Korea Republic (61)

2014 WORLD CUP TV SCHEDULE – ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC

u All times EASTERN u Schedule is subject to change u ABC Sports broadcasts in italics

*Date*	*Time (ET)*	*Network*	*Match*	*Group*	*Site*	*Match #*
Thu 6/12	3:30 p.m.	ESPN	Brazil vs. Croatia	A	Sao Paulo	1
Fri 6/13	11:30 a.m.	ESPN2	Mexico vs. Cameroon	A	Natal	2
	2:30 p.m.	ESPN	Spain vs. Netherlands	B	Salvador	3
	5:30 p.m.	ESPN2	Chile vs. Australia	B	Cuiaba	4
Sat 6/14	11:30 a.m.	ABC	*Colombia vs. Greece*	C	Belo Horizonte	5
	2:30 p.m.	ABC	*Uruguay vs. Costa Rica*	D	Fortaleza	7
	5:30 p.m.	ESPN	England vs. Italy	D	Manaus	8
	8:30 p.m.	ESPN	Ivory Coast vs. Japan	C	Recife	6
Sun 6/15	11:30 a.m.	ABC	*Switzerland vs. Ecuador*	E	Brasilia	9
	2:30 p.m.	ABC	*France vs. Honduras*	E	Porto Alegre	10
	5:30 p.m.	ESPN	Argentina vs. Bosnia-Herzegovina	F	Rio de Janeiro	11
Mon 6/16	11:30 a.m.	ESPN	Germany vs. Portugal	G	Salvador	13
	2:30 p.m.	ESPN	Iran vs. Nigeria	F	Curitiba	12
	5:30 p.m.	ESPN	Ghana vs. United States	G	Natal	14
Tue 6/17	11:30 a.m.	ESPN	Belgium vs. Algeria	H	Belo Horizonte	15
	2:30 p.m.	ESPN	Brazil vs. Mexico	A	Fortaleza	17
	5:30 p.m.	ESPN	Russia vs. South Korea	H	Cuiaba	16
Wed 6/18	11:30 a.m.	ESPN	Australia vs. Netherlands	B	Porto Alegre	20
	2:30 p.m.	ESPN	Spain vs. Chile	B	Rio de Janeiro	19
	5:30 p.m.	ESPN	Cameroon vs. Croatia	A	Manaus	18
Thu 6/19	11:30 a.m.	ESPN	Colombia vs. Ivory Coast	C	Brasilia	21
	2:30 p.m.	ESPN	Uruguay vs. England	D	Sao Paulo	23
	5:30 p.m.	ESPN	Japan vs. Greece	C	Natal	22
Fri 6/20	11:30 a.m.	ESPN	Italy vs. Costa Rica	D	Recife	24
	2:30 p.m.	ESPN	Switzerland vs. France	E	Salvador	25
	5:30 p.m.	ESPN	Honduras vs. Ecuador	E	Curitiba	26
Sat 6/21	11:30 a.m.	ESPN	Argentina vs. Iran	F	Belo Horizonte	27
	2:30 p.m.	ESPN	Germany vs. Ghana	G	Fortaleza	29
	5:30 p.m.	ESPN	Nigeria vs. Bosnia-Herzegovina	F	Cuiaba	28
Sun 6/22	11:30 a.m.	ABC	*Belgium vs. Russia*	H	Rio de Janeiro	31
	2:30 p.m.	ABC	*South Korea vs. Algeria*	H	Porto Alegre	32
	5:30 p.m.	ESPN	United States vs. Portugal	G	Manaus	30
Mon 6/23	11:30 a.m.	ESPN	Netherlands vs. Chile	B	Sao Paulo	36
	11:30 a.m.	ESPN2	Australia vs. Spain	B	Curitiba	35
	3:30 p.m.	ESPN	Croatia vs. Mexico	A	Recife	34
	3:30 p.m.	ESPN2	Cameroon vs. Brazil	A	Brasilia	33
Tue 6/24	11:30 a.m.	ESPN	Italy vs. Uruguay	D	Natal	39
	11:30 a.m.	ESPN2	Costa Rica vs. England	D	Belo Horizonte	40
	3:30 p.m.	ESPN	Japan vs. Colombia	C	Cuiaba	37
	3:30 p.m.	ESPN2	Greece vs. Ivory Coast	C	Fortaleza	38
Wed 6/25	11:30 a.m.	ESPN	Nigeria vs. Argentina	F	Porto Alegre	43
	11:30 a.m.	ESPN2	Bosnia-Herzegovina vs. Iran	F	Salvador	44
	3:30 p.m.	ESPN	Ecuador vs. France	E	Rio de Janeiro	42
	3:30 p.m.	ESPN2	Honduras vs. Switzerland	E	Manaus	41
Thu 6/26	11:30 a.m.	ESPN	United States vs. Germany	G	Recife	45
	11:30 a.m.	ESPN2	Portugal vs. Ghana	G	Brasilia	46
	3:30 p.m.	ESPN	South Korea vs. Belgium	H	Sao Paulo	47
	3:30 p.m.	ESPN2	Algeria vs. Russia	H	Curitiba	48

2^nd Stage – Round of 16

*Date*	*Time (ET)*	*Network*	*Matchup*	*Site*	*Match #*
Sat 6/28	11:30 a.m.	ABC	*1A vs. 2B*	Belo Horizonte	49
	3:30 p.m.	ABC	*1C vs. 2D*	Rio de Janeiro	50
Sun 6/29	11:30 a.m.	ESPN	1B vs. 2A	Fortaleza	51
	3:30 p.m.	ESPN	1D vs. 2C	Recife	52
Mon 6/30	11:30 a.m.	ESPN	1E vs. 2F	Brasilia	53
	3:30 p.m.	ESPN	1G vs. 2H	Porto Alegre	54
Tue 7/1	11:30 a.m.	ESPN	1F vs. 2E	Sao Paulo	55
	3:30 p.m.	ESPN	1H vs. 2G	Salvador	56

2^nd Stage – Quarterfinals

*Date*	*Time (ET)*	*Network*	*Matchup*	*Site*	*Match #*
Fri 7/4	11:30 a.m.	ESPN2	Winners 53 vs. 54	Rio de Janeiro	58
	3:30 p.m.	ESPN	Winners 49 vs. 50	Fortaleza	57
Sat 7/5	11:30 a.m.	ABC	*Winners 55 vs. 56*	Brasilia	60
	3:30 p.m.	ESPN	Winners 51 vs. 52	Salvador	59

2^nd Stage – Semifinals

*Date*	*Time (ET)*	*Network*	*Matchup*	*Site*	*Match #*
Tue 7/8	3:30 p.m.	ESPN	Winners 57 vs. 58	Belo Horizonte	61
Wed 7/9	3:30 p.m.	ESPN	Winners 59 vs. 60	Sao Paulo	62

Third Place Match

Sat 7/12

3:30 p.m.

ESPN

Losers – 61 vs. 62

Brasilia

2014 FIFA World Cup Title Match

Sun 7/13

2:30 p.m.

ABC

Winners – 61 vs. 62

Rio de Janeiro

ESPN Inc.’s 2014 FIFA World Cup in the United States

ESPN garnered more than 40 industry awards, including three Sports Emmys, for its presentation of 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa – more accolades than any single event in the company’s history.

ESPN and Past FIFA World Cup Tournaments (Men’s):

South Africa 2010 – All 64 matches live and in high definition. All studio programming originated from South Africa

Germany ’06 – All 64 matches live and in high definition

Korea/Japan ’02 – 58 ESPN and ESPN2 matches live (six tape-delayed broadcasts on ABC)

France ’98 – ESPN 27, ESPN2 23 and ABC Sports 14 (all 64 matches live)

USA ’94 – ESPN, 41, and ABC, 11 (all 52 matches)

Mexico ’86 – ESPN, 15 matches (U.S. cable television rights)

Spain ’82 – ESPN, 7 matches

— 30 —

Brazilian World Cup Champion Gilberto Silva and Dutch Football Legend Ruud van Nistelrooy Named ESPN Analysts for 2014 FIFA World Cup

January 13, 2014 By admin

ESPN today announced that 2002 FIFA World Cup champion Gilberto Silva from Brazil and legendary Dutch footballer Ruud van Nistelrooy will serve as studio analysts during the company’s month-long presentation of the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, June 12 – July 13. Silva and van Nistelrooy will appear on pre-match, halftime and post-match shows, SportsCenter, ESPN FC, and FIFA World Cup-themed news and information programs throughout the quadrennial tournament.

Silva and van Nistelrooy join a roster of ESPN 2014 World Cup analysts that includ former professionals and national team players Michael Ballack (Germany), Alexi Lalas (USA), Steve McManaman (England), Santiago Solari (Argentina) and Taylor Twellman (USA).

“Adding Gilberto and Ruud to our roster of insightful analysts will make this the most memorable World Cup on ESPN for the U.S. audience, as this seminal event returns to its spiritual home in Brazil for the first time since 1950,” said Jed Drake, ESPN senior vice president and executive producer. “Their analysis will be based on intimate knowledge of the teams representing Brazil and the Netherlands, two powerhouse soccer nations in this competition.”

Silva played 16 matches for Brazil in three FIFA World Cup competitions (Korea-Japan 2002, Germany 2006 and South Africa 2010). He manned the midfield for the Seleção from 2001-10. His performance as a defensive midfielder on the 2002 World Cup-winning team earned him a European contract from Premier League side Arsenal FC from 2002-’08. Silva played three seasons for Panathinaikos after joining the Greek club from Arsenal in July 2008. He ended his European football career after nine years, returning to Brazil to play for Grêmio in 2011.

From 1998-2010, van Nistelrooy was regarded as one of the best strikers in European football. In a career that spanned 19 years including five seasons at Manchester United and four with Real Madrid, he played on three football clubs that won at least one league title in three different leagues – Dutch Eredivisie, English Premier League and Spain’s La Liga. When Van Nistelrooy retired in 2011, he had scored 51 career UEFA Champions League goals, which ranked him second at the time amongst all goal scorers in the competition. (He has since been surpassed by Messi and Ronaldo and is currently ranked No. 4). He played in three top-tier international football competitions for Netherlands – the UEFA EURO 2004 and 2008, and 2006 FIFA World Cup.

Specific assignments are to be determined, and other ESPN commentators for the 2014 FIFA World Cup will be announced at a later date.

ESPN Inc.’s 2014 FIFA World Cup in the United States

The 2014 FIFA World Cup will be ESPN’s eighth World Cup and most comprehensive presentation to date. ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC will combine to air all 64 matches live and in high definition (June 12 – July 13, 2014), and WatchESPN will show all ESPN and ESPN2 games. ESPN3, ESPN’s live multi-screen sports network available in more than 85 million homes, will present matches live in multiple languages (other than English and Spanish).

Additionally, all ESPN studio programming – World Cup Tonight, ESPN FC World Cup Encore, ESPN FC, editions of SportsCenter, as well as the pre-game, halftime and post-game shows – and ESPN Deportes’ game-around-the-game programs will originate from the company’s production headquarters throughout the month at Clube dos Marimbás on the southern tip of the famed Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro.

ESPN garnered more than 40 industry awards, including three Sports Emmys, for its presentation of 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa – more accolades than any single event in the company’s history.

— 30 —

ESPN Names Ian Darke Lead Commentator for 2014 FIFA World Cup

January 10, 2014 By admin

Ian Darke will be the lead play-by-play commentator for ESPN during the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, it was announced today by Jed Drake, senior vice president and executive producer, ESPN Production. Darke, ESPN’s lead voice for international soccer since 2010, will call the Brazil vs. Croatia opening match on Thursday, June 12, in Sao Paulo, the final and other matches, including all U.S. Men’s National Team games in the quadrennial tournament (June 12 – July 13).

Following his critically-acclaimed work for ESPN during the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, Darke joined the company full-time and was named the lead English-language voice for soccer in September 2010, moving from London-based Sky Sports. Darke, who was one of the FIFA World Cup commentators for ESPN and ABC in the U.S. in 1994, has voiced some of the seminal moments in televised soccer in the U.S. during the past four years.

During the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup, Darke brilliantly captured the game-changing moment during the USA-Brazil quarterfinal match when U.S. forward Abby Wambach scored a miraculous header in the 122^nd minute of play. He also provided commentary for the eventual USA vs. Japan final – the most-watched soccer match on ESPN, seen by an average of 13.5 million viewers.

In May 2012, Darke described the heart-throbbing final minutes of the 2011-12 English Premier League season as Manchester City FC scored two stoppage-time goals to win its first title in top division football since 1968.

“Since Ian emerged as our year-round signature voice for soccer, his commentary has elevated our presentation of the sport to new heights,” said Drake. “His experience, authenticity and passion resonate tremendously well with our viewers, who have come to expect the highest-quality soccer commentary from ESPN.”

Darke added: “I am thrilled to be covering another World Cup for ESPN, particularly in such a fanatical hotbed of the sport as Brazil. The venues mean the match windows will be ideal for the ever increasing and passionate community of soccer fans in the USA, who will see every minute of every game.”

In addition to the World Cup, Darke is a contributor for ESPN FC on TV, the company’s global soccer news and information television program where he appears on Monday to provide insight on European football – mostly on the Premier League. He periodically writes for www.ESPNFC.com, the leading digital soccer brand.

In the United Kingdom, Darke is the lead football commentator for BT Sport, covering the Barclays Premier League and other major European leagues.

ESPN Inc.’s 2014 FIFA World Cup in the United States

The 2014 FIFA World Cup will be ESPN’s eighth World Cup and most comprehensive presentation to date. ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC will combine to air all 64 matches live and in high definition (June 12 – July 13), and WatchESPN will show all ESPN and ESPN2 games. ESPN3, ESPN’s live multi-screen sports network available in more than 85 million homes, will present matches live in multiple languages (other than English and Spanish).

ESPN garnered more than 40 industry awards, including three Sports Emmys, for its presentation of 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa – more accolades than any single event in the company’s history.

ESPN and Past FIFA World Cup Tournaments (Men’s):

South Africa 2010 – All 64 matches live and high definition. All World Cup studio programming originated from South Africa

Germany ’06 – All 64 matches live and in high definition

Korea/Japan ’02 – 58 ESPN and ESPN2 matches live (six tape-delayed broadcasts on ABC)

France ’98 – ESPN 27, ESPN2 23 and ABC Sports 14 (all 64 matches live)

USA ’94 – ESPN, 41, and ABC, 11 (all 52 matches)

Mexico ’86 – ESPN, 15 matches (U.S. cable television rights)

Spain ’82 – ESPN, 7 matches

— 30 —

ESPN To Debut First Campaign Spot For 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil

December 31, 2013 By admin

With roughly six months until the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil, ESPN will release its first World Cup commercial spot during the network’s presentation of the 100^th Rose Bowl Game presented by VIZIO. ESPN is the exclusive U.S. English-language rights holder for the event, which will run from June 12-July 13, 2014.

The 60-second spot is a celebration of the world’s greatest sporting event returning to Brazil, a nation that has won the Cup a record five times. It intertwines memorable moments and legendary players from the tournament’s rich history with the Brazilian culture and its impact on the beautiful game. The spot features iconic players and teams and a collection of the World Cup’s most indelible moments, including:

Pele and his triumphant celebration in 1970
Germany’s Franz Beckenbauer and Dutch captain Johan Cruyff exchanging flags moments before the 1974 Final
Diego Maradona and his brilliant performance for Argentina in 1986
Zinedine Zidane, whose epic performance for France led the host country to win the Cup in 1998
Andres Iniesta, whose beautiful strike sealed Spain’s first World Cup title in 2010
Cameroonian striker Roger Milla’s famous dance in 1990
Dutch legend Johan Cruyff’s immortal turn in 1974
England striker Geoff Hurst’s record-setting three-goal performance in a World Cup title match in 1966
Dutch striker Dennis Bergkamp’s memorable touch against Argentina in 1998
Carlos Alberto’s wonder-strike for Brazil in 1970
Paolo Rossi hoisting the cup for Italy in 1982
And Landon Donovan’s celebration after his last-gasp winner against Algeria earned the U.S. Men’s National Team a place in the single-elimination rounds in the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa.

The spot culminates with the crop of current stars who will all seek to etch their names in the annals of World Cup history this summer: Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Mario Balotelli, Robin van Persie, and Brazil’s current number ten: Neymar.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Sy6kawwwpU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHrf5EBVlDs

ESPN Names First Five Analysts for 2014 FIFA World Cup Team

December 5, 2013 By admin

Analysts Michael Ballack, Alexi Lalas, Steve McManaman, Santiago Solari and Taylor Twellman

Five soccer professionals and national team players – Michael Ballack (Germany), Alexi Lalas (USA), Steve McManaman (England), Santiago Solari (Argentina) and Taylor Twellman (USA) – have been named analysts for ESPN’s 2014 FIFA World Cup team in Brazil. With a combined five FIFA World Cup tournament teams between them this group will be part of ESPN’s English-language presentation in the United States on ESPN, ESPN2, ABC and WatchESPN throughout the month-long tournament, June 12 – July 13, 2014.

Ballack, Lalas, McManaman and Solari will appear on pre-match, halftime and post-match shows, SportsCenter, ESPN FC, and FIFA World Cup-themed news and information programs. Twellman will primarily serve as a co-commentator. McManaman will also co-commentate on select matches.

In their first assignment, the analysts will join host Bob Ley at the ESPN studios in Bristol, Conn., to present the Final Draw for the 2014 FIFA World Cup™ on ESPN2, Friday, December 6, at 11:30 a.m. ET – the kickoff event for ESPN’s multimedia coverage of the quadrennial tournament in Brazil when the groups and matchups are determined.

“The quality and diversity of our analyst team was one of the keys to our 2010 World Cup success,” said Jed Drake, ESPN senior vice president and executive producer. “Michael, Alexi, Macca, Santiago, Taylor and others to come, will form what we expect to be one of the best collections of football minds available anywhere for this global sporting event.”

Ballack was the German National Team captain from 2004 until injury forced him off the World Cup team in 2010. He debuted on ESPN networks as a pundit for UEFA EURO 2012. Brazil 2014 will mark his debut as a World Cup analyst.

Lalas, a U.S. Men’s National Team defender and the face of USA ’94 team, will work his third straight FIFA World Cup for ESPN having debuted in 2006 as a guest analyst. He is ESPN’s lead studio analyst for U.S. Men’s National Team and Major League Soccer matches.

McManaman, Liverpool legend and former England National Team player, debuted on ESPN during South Africa 2010. He has since served as match analyst for the network’s critically acclaimed coverage of the Barclays Premier League from 2010-2013, working alongside play-by-play commentator Ian Darke. McManaman teamed with Darke again as the network’s lead match commentator team for the UEFA EURO 2012 in Poland and Ukraine.

Solari, former Real Madrid winger and Argentina National team player, will make his World Cup debut on U.S. television with the Draw on Friday and through the month-long Brazil 2014 tournament. He is one of the pundits on ESPN FC, the company’s global soccer news and information program.

Twellman, a former U.S. National Team player and one of the most prolific forwards to ever wear a Major League Soccer jersey playing for the New England Revolution, will make his World Cup debut in the booth in Brazil. He is ESPN’s lead match analyst for the U.S. Men’s National Team and Major League Soccer.

Specific assignments are to be determined, and other ESPN commentators for the 2014 FIFA World Cup will be announced at a later date.

ESPN Inc.’s 2014 FIFA World Cup in the United States

The 2014 FIFA World Cup will be ESPN’s eighth World Cup and most comprehensive presentation to date. ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC will combine to air all 64 matches live and in high definition (June 12 – July 13, 2014), and WatchESPN will show all ESPN and ESPN2 games. ESPN3, ESPN’s live multi-screen sports network available in more than 85 million homes, will present matches live in multiple languages (other than English and Spanish).

ESPN garnered more than 40 industry awards, including three Sports Emmys, for its presentation of 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa – more accolades than any single event in the company’s history.

ESPN and Past FIFA World Cup Tournaments (Men’s):

South Africa 2010 – All 64 matches live and high definition. All World Cup studio programming originated from South Africa

Germany ’06 – All 64 matches live and in high definition

Korea/Japan ’02 – 58 ESPN and ESPN2 matches live (six tape-delayed broadcasts on ABC)

France ’98 – ESPN 27, ESPN2 23 and ABC Sports 14 (all 64 matches live)

USA ’94 – ESPN, 41, and ABC, 11 (all 52 matches)

Mexico ’86 – ESPN, 15 matches (U.S. cable television rights)

Spain ’82 – ESPN, 7 matches

— 30 —

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