Fox's World Cup broadcaster assignments for semifinals have fans voicing frustrations about John Strong, Stu Holden

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Fox's World Cup broadcaster assignments for semifinals have fans voicing frustrations about John Strong, Stu Holden originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

John Strong and Stu Holden will be on the call on Fox's broadcast in the United States of Tuesday's World Cup semifinal between France and Spain.

And on Wednesday when England takes on Argentina in the second semifinal? Strong and Holden will be on the call again.

That's right: Fox has chosen to put the same play-by-play guy and color commentator on both semifinals, which are played in different cities a single day apart.

Fox Sports has announced its commentator assignments for the World Cup Semifinals:

France v Spain
️John Strong & Stu Holden
On-Site Studio: Rebecca Lowe & Rob Stone as hosts

England v Argentina
️John Strong & Stu Holden
On-Site Studio: Rebecca Lowe & Jules Breach as hosts pic.twitter.com/HrlRNIrawl

— Braylon Breeze (@Braylon_Breeze) July 14, 2026

The decision almost surely impacts their ability to prepare properly for both games, and it also takes some fans' favorite crews out of the running for games.

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What about Owen Hargreaves and Darren Fletcher?​

This duo has been hugely praised on social media throughout the tournament.

They'll be relegated to the third-place match, though.

Him and Hargreaves will call the third-place match.

— Braylon Breeze (@Braylon_Breeze) July 14, 2026

It wouldn't have been outlandish to have them on the England match, but that's not what Fox decided.

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Why are John Strong and Stu Holden calling both semifinals?​

Simply put, it seems Fox has decided to go with its main soccer crew on the call of these two gigantic matches.

Whether Strong or Holden are beloved or not, they're the guys who Fox has viewed as its top team throughout this tournament, including calling all the United States games.

Now, they get to carry the rest of the tournament for Fox.

More FIFA World Cup news:​

• Erling Haaland brought a wild $750 gift home from the World Cup
• An on-brand finish to Neymar's Brazil career
• Lionel Messi makes announcer lose his mind in 35-second goal call
• Jordan Henderson got injured celebrating England's win over Mexico

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