FIFA World Cup on Fox After Hours with James Corden
A late-night companion to Fox's 2026 World Cup coverage.
FIFA World Cup on Fox After Hours with James Corden is an American late-night sports and comedy talk show that aired on Fox as a companion program to the network's coverage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Hosted by James Corden alongside former footballer Rio Ferdinand and comedian Ian Karmel, the limited-run series premiered on June 11, 2026, and concluded after the tournament final on July 19, 2026.
Quick Facts
- Genre
- Sports commentary
- Comedy
- Talk show
- Director
- Tim Mancinelli
- Presenter
- James Corden
- Rio Ferdinand
- Ian Karmel
- Opening theme
- "Run Kid" by Arkayla
- Country
- United States
- Language
- English
- Location
- Fox Studio Lot, Los Angeles, California
- Executive producers
- Eric Shanks
- Brad Zager
- Ben Winston
- Gabe Turner
- James Longman
- Eric Pankowski
Facts from the source article.
Format
The show mixed World Cup match recaps and tournament news with comedy bits, audience games, on-location segments, and chats with players and celebrities. Corden said it aimed for a lighthearted, post-game bar hangout vibe. He was joined by former England captain Rio Ferdinand and Late Late Show writer Julia Karmel. Ferdinand was sometimes swapped for guest co-hosts like Zlatan Ibrahimović, Thierry Henry, Alex Scott, Clarence Seedorf, or Cobi Jones.
Production
Fox announced the program during its upfront presentation on May 11, 2026. It marked Corden's return to American late-night television three years after his CBS show ended. Corden had previously hosted a similar World Cup companion program for ITV in 2010. Fox's ownership of the American television rights allowed the show to directly use tournament footage. The series originated from the Fox Studio Lot in Los Angeles and was produced by Fulwell Entertainment and Jolly Octopus Media in association with Fox Sports. Executive producers included Eric Shanks, Brad Zager, Ben Winston, Gabe Turner, James Longman, and Eric Pankowski, several of whom had worked with Corden on The Late Late Show.
Reception
The show was praised by TV journalist Bill Carter for its lighthearted tone, good energy, and loose, shaggy charm, with Corden’s soccer knowledge and live late-night background seen as assets. It gained attention for unscripted moments: analyst Alexi Lalas called Corden a “full-kit wanker” on Fox, surprising host Rebecca Lowe; actor Colin Farrell swore live on air; and a game called “Nuts or Butts” had contestants guess where paused match footage would hit players. The premiere drew 418,000 total viewers and 110,000 adults 18-49 in Live+Same Day ratings. Over its first 16 episodes, Live+3 averages were 639,000 total viewers and 206,000 adults 18-49. Its best audiences came on June 29 and 30, following World Cup matches, with 1.237 million and 1.224 million total viewers (452,000 and 469,000 adults 18-49). For 13 original episodes in Q2 2026, the show averaged 632,000 total viewers and 201,000 adults 18-49.
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