Chicharito joins Henry, Ibrahimovic as Fox Sports 2026 World Cup analyst

Thearon W. Henderson / Getty Images Share full articleMexico national team legend Javier “Chicharito” Hernández is known for his goals at the club and international levels. But this summer he’ll step into uncharted territory for a high-profile second act. Hernández will join Fox Sports’ 2026 World Cup coverage as studio analyst for the network’s English-language broadcasts. This will be the former Manchester United and Real Madrid striker’s first foray into television. “Before I was doing things with my feet,” Hernández told The Athletic on Thursday. “Now it’s going to be with my voice.” Hernández, 37, will be part of a star-studded Fox studio team that will also feature notable football personalities Thierry Henry and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, among others. Hernández, Mexico’s all-time leading goalscorer (52) and a three-time World Cup veteran (2010, 2014, 2018), did not shy away from his on-camera inexperience. He said he hopes to learn on the go once the tournament begins on June 11. “I’m a rookie, man. I cannot promise anything,” he said in English. “It’s going to be my first time. I don’t know how it’s going to be. I can be very, very positive. I can be very critical, as well.” It will be a new frontier for Hernández, and he’ll take it on in his second language in a country where his national team has a robust following. After playing in Europe for 10 years and playing for the LA Galaxy in MLS from 2020-23, Hernández headed back to Mexico in January of 2024 to sign with his boyhood club, Chivas de Guadalajara. His storybook return was marked by injuries and lackluster performances, though. Hernández scored just four goals in 41 appearances with Chivas before his contract ended in December. The club announced his departure shortly after and he has not played competitively since. On Thursday, he insisted that he has not retired when asked if he will find a club after the World Cup. “I’m not retired yet,” he said. “So we’ll see.” His initial breakdown of World Cup cohost Mexico, which will play in the opening match of the tournament against South Africa – a rematch of the 2010 opener in which Hernández appeared as a substitute – was fairly optimistic. He has been impressed with the passion and discipline that Mexico’s players have displayed of late under manager Javier Aguirre. Although he admitted that Mexico’s fanbase can be overly fickle, Hernández hopes that the home support is mostly positive. “I’m hoping that Mexico can win their group,” he said. “And then from there you never know.” In addition to South Africa, Mexico will face South Korea and Czech Republic in Group A, all on home soil. In Mexico, football pundits are often outspoken and highly critical of the country’s national team players and coaches. Hernández is no stranger to the type of scrutiny. In fact, he expects to receive plenty in his upcoming role. “A lot of people are not going to be happy,” he said. “They’re going to try to find the flaws regardless, more the flaws than the positives. It’s going to be part of it. What I’m going to do is I’m going to prepare. I’m going to enjoy this opportunity. I’m going to give my best.” The last time Hernández made global headlines came in July of 2025 following a series of social media posts that were sexist in nature. “You’re making society hypersensitive,” he said of women. “Don’t be afraid to be a woman. To allow yourselves to be led by a man who only wants to see you happy.” Mexico president Claudia Sheinbaum, the nation’s first female head of state, criticized Hernández’s point of view on gender roles. “Chicharito is a very good footballer,” she said at the time. “But when it comes to his opinion on women, he still has a lot to learn.” On Thursday, Hernández addressed the backlash that followed. He said his comments were taken out of context. “I believe in freedom of speech, as well,” Hernández said. “I think people have some points of view on certain situations. I’m never against anything. I have my preferences. I have my opinions.” Hernández was subsequently fined by Chivas and by the Mexican Football Federation’s Diversity Commission. He wrote in part via his Instagram account, which has over 6.3 million followers, “I deeply regret any confusion or discomfort my recent words may have caused; it was never my intention to limit, hurt, or divide.” “I went out and explained it a little bit,” Hernández said on Thursday. “I was speaking about both masculinity and femininity. So I think it was simple. It was clear. I believe in unity. I believe in the progress of humanity.” “I believe that this World Cup and everything is about unity,” he continued. “But I also believe in freedom of speech opinions. People can express certain things. But I never was against (anything.) It was like being more positive than negative.” Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms Felipe Cardenas is a senior writer for The Athletic who covers soccer in South America, North America and more. Follow Felipe on Twitter @FelipeCar