Fox Sports vice-president of production Zac Kenworthy has confirmed his network intends to use half-time interviews during the World Cup.
He added that it remains in “conversations” with FIFA as to how they will use the three-minute hydration breaks at the tournament.
The Athletic previously reported that FIFA will allow broadcasters to cut away to advertisements during the ‘hydration breaks’ that will split up each half of all 104 World Cup matches.
FIFA have previously described the three-minute breaks as being motivated by player welfare, but the breaks will take place in every game, even in temperature-controlled venues, which left many to conclude there were also commercial motivations at play.
Asked directly whether Fox is creating commercial space during the drinks breaks, Kenworthy told The Athletic: “Those conversations are still happening behind the scenes. There are very real-time conversations as well that we’re having with FIFA.
“I expect we’ll have some news in the next week or two, certainly before the tournament starts.”
This is the final men’s World Cup within Fox’s current FIFA rights deal and the upcoming women’s World Cup in Brazil in 2027 has been bought up by Netflix.
