Professor of Practice Nicole Kraft collaborated with FOX Sports to host a panel of prominent voices in broadcasting and sports having a conversation on the growth and future of American soccer. 

The event was held Aug. 29 at Ohio State’s WOSU’s Ross Community Theater. Panelists included:

• Mauricio Pochettino, head coach of the U.S. Men’s National Team
• Eric Shanks, CEO and executive producer of FOX Sports
• Alexi Lalas, FOX Sports analyst and National Soccer Hall of Fame member
• Moderated by Jenny Taft, FOX Sports presenter

With the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaching, panelists discussed how the World Cup’s expansion from 32 to 48 teams could inspire new generations of players and fans in the U.S. 

Pochettino suggested that expanding participation could give more young athletes the chance to get involved in soccer. Shanks emphasized how Major League Soccer’s growth and the arrival of international stars have built the infrastructure to support long-term success. Furthermore, Lalas discussed how the U.S. Men’s National Team’s performance on the world stage could reshape global perceptions of American soccer.

The panel also touched on the changing landscape of media coverage, emphasizing that broadcasts now treat soccer with greater sophistication and assume deeper audience knowledge. Lalas closed by predicting that the 2026 World Cup “will be a party of the likes of which you have never seen.”

For the School of Communication, the event exemplified how Ohio State connects students to real-world conversations at the intersection of media, sport, and society.

“Bringing the leading voices in sports broadcasting to campus allows our students to see first-hand the impact of sports across the media landscape and to help make connections that will benefit them moving forward,” Kraft said