Phil Hay from NY Times, The Athletic, writes about Telemundo bringing the 2026 FIFA World Cup to life with the passion, energy and cultural connection that have made Spanish-language soccer broadcasts an essential part of the tournament experience in the United States.
The network entered the competition with its largest Spanish-language World Cup production to date. Telemundo and Universo are carrying the televised matches, while Peacock is streaming all 104 games live in Spanish and offering replays, highlights and interactive viewing features.
At the center of the coverage is legendary Argentine American broadcaster Andrés Cantor, whose emotional storytelling and iconic extended “goal” call have helped introduce generations of U.S. viewers to the excitement of international soccer. Cantor is covering his eighth World Cup and has described accuracy, preparation and authentic emotion as central to his work.
Telemundo’s presentation goes beyond translating the action into Spanish. Its commentators, analysts and production teams bring cultural context and familiarity to viewers from across the Latino community, reflecting the different countries, traditions and identities represented throughout the tournament.
That approach has produced historic results. The Mexico–South Korea match attracted a total audience of 14 million viewers across Telemundo and Peacock, becoming the most-watched soccer match in U.S. Spanish-language history at that point in the competition.
The network’s influence is also reaching beyond Spanish-speaking households. Some English-speaking viewers have chosen Telemundo because of its expressive commentary, uninterrupted coverage during hydration breaks and the emotional intensity of its broadcasts—even when they understand little Spanish.
Telemundo’s World Cup success represents an important moment for Hispanic media in the United States. It demonstrates that Spanish-language coverage is not a secondary alternative, but a powerful and increasingly influential part of the country’s sports culture.
Through unforgettable calls, diverse voices and storytelling rooted in community, Telemundo is showing how Latino culture can elevate one of the world’s biggest sporting events—and invite audiences from every background to join the celebration.
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Source: The Athletic
Photo: Stu Forster/Getty Images
