Landon Donovan will participate in the World Cup after all — just not as a player, and not from Brazil.
Donovan will be part of ESPN’s coverage, contributing analysis from ESPN/ABC studios in Los Angeles. He will make his debut Wednesday during ESPN’s two-hour “FIFA World Cup Preview” at 3 p.m. ET.
The all-time U.S. leader in both goals and assists will preview and analyze the tournament, focusing on the U.S. team’s three opening round matches: June 16 vs. Ghana; June 22 vs. Portugal; and June 26 vs. Germany. Donovan will contribute to pre-game, halftime and post-match coverage, editions of “SportsCenter,” “World Cup Tonight” and other shows.
Also read: ESPN’s Bob Ley on Landon Donovan, World Cup Coverage: Prepare for Some ‘Pretty Neat Sh-t’
“Adding Landon to our ESPN roster just before the World Cup is a coup because he knows the United States team better than anyone having played such a huge role in its success, especially at this event,” said Jed Drake, ESPN senior vice president and executive producer. “Landon is also one of this country’s biggest sports stars and we believe that he will help attract even more fans to our month-long coverage.”
Added Donovan: “I am excited to be joining ESPN’s coverage of the 2014 World Cup from Los Angeles, and I look forward to working with the talented ESPN broadcasters to provide unique insights for our amazing US Soccer fans.”
Donovan was cut from the U.S. team in May.