Jacqui Oatley has covered several World Cups. (Photo courtesy of FOX Sports)

FOX Sports Wednesday announced soccer commentator Jacqui Oatley will join the network’s World Cup broadcast team as a play-by-play announcer for this year’s tournament.

Oatley brings a wealth of World Cup experience to FOX Sports’ play-by-play roster. She spent the summer of 2019 in France calling Women’s World Cup matches for the host broadcaster’s world feed. In 2018, she served as a host for ITV’s World Cup coverage in Russia. Oatley also hosted the BBC’s 2015 Women’s World Cup coverage in Canada and provided play-by-play commentary for BBC Radio 5 Live on several matches at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

In 2005, Oatley became the first woman to call a match on British network radio and she continued making history in 2007 when she became the first female commentator on the BBC One’s flagship show, “Match of the Day.” Most recently, she has commentated on the UEFA Champions League and is lead play-by-play announcer for Sky Sports’ Barclays FA Women’s Super League coverage. She also calls Premier League matches for Sky Sports and the world feed.

“I’m so excited to be joining FOX Sports at this year’s World Cup,” Oatley said in a statement. “This will be my 16th major football tournament, and I’ve loved every minute of working on those events around the world. Teaming up with FOX Sports will be a new experience for me, and I’ve been told by various colleagues what a brilliant group of people they are to work with.”

David Neal, executive producer of the World Cup on FOX and vice Ppesident of Production for FOX Sports, welcomed Oatley to the broadcast team.

“Jacqui’s passion for the game and experience in calling matches at the highest level is truly remarkable and as we began evaluating play-by-play announcers, we knew we wanted Jacqui to be part of our team,” he said in a statement. “We’re thrilled to have Jacqui joining FOX Sports in Qatar and look forward to hearing her insights when the tournament begins on Monday, Nov. 21.”

Oatley joins returning lead play-by-play announcer John Strong as FOX Sports commentators for World Cup in Qatar. New and returning broadcasters joining FOX Sports at this year’s World Cup will be unveiled in the coming weeks.

 

 

FOR YOUR SUMMER READING: An entertaining book about the Rochester Lancers and an education about the early days of the modern pro soccer era

Front Row Soccer editor Michael Lewis has covered 13 World Cups (eight men, five women), seven Olympics and 25 MLS Cups. He has written about New York City FC, New York Cosmos, the New York Red Bulls and both U.S. national teams for Newsday and has penned a soccer history column for the Guardian.com. Lewis, who has been honored by the Press Club of Long Island and National Soccer Coaches Association of America, is the former editor of BigAppleSoccer.com. He has written seven books about the beautiful game and has published ALIVE AND KICKING The incredible but true story of the Rochester Lancers. It is available at Amazon.com.