LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE via COLLEGIATE PRESSWIRE)--Mar 8, 2005--Fox Soccer Channel has acquired the exclusive rights to televise 20 European zone qualifying matches for the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany. Beginning with a doubleheader live on Saturday, March 26, and continuing through mid-October, Fox Soccer Channel`s coverage of Europe`s qualifying rounds will feature some of the most powerful national teams in the world, all competing for a coveted spot in the World Cup Finals in June 2006.
''We are excited to kick off the final stages of FIFA World Cup qualifying with these outstanding matches from Europe,'' said David Sternberg, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Fox Soccer Channel. ''Together with our exclusive coverage of the England national team`s qualifiers, these games will give Fox Soccer Channel`s viewers unparalleled access to the European qualifying campaign for Germany 2006.''
Since the FIFA World Cup`s inception in 1930, when 13 nations came together to compete for the title of world champion of soccer, the tournament has become the biggest and most-watched sporting event in the modern world. In 2002, 32 countries advanced to the FIFA World Cup finals in Japan and South Korea, where the Brazilians were the eventual winners, defeating Germany 2-0 to claim their record fifth FIFA World Cup championship. In 2006, 14 European nations will qualify for the FIFA World Cup finals, including host Germany, which qualifies automatically.
Fox Soccer Channel`s coverage of the 2006 European World Cup Qualifiers will spotlight many of the world`s soccer powers. On Saturday, March 26, Romania will face Holland live, followed by a second live match between Bulgaria and Sweden.
Holland, currently ranked sixth in the world, has twice reached the championship game of the FIFA World Cup, losing on both occasions in 1974 and 1978. Fox Soccer Channel will then showcase France and Spain on Wednesday, March 30, as France visits Israel followed by Spain`s match at Serbia. France, currently ranked second in the world, won the 1998 FIFA World Cup, while Spain ranks fifth in the world at present.
Fox Soccer Channel is available through affiliated cable systems, and through DirecTV and Dish Network satellite providers. Fox Soccer Channel is affiliated with Fox Sports International, an international sports programming and production entity housed within the Fox Cable Networks Group, one of the major operating units within the Fox Entertainment Group (NYSE:FOX) and News Corporation (NYSE:NWS). For more information, visit Fox Soccer Channel online at foxsoccer.com presented by MSN.
Schedule of European World Cup Qualifiers on Fox Soccer Channel
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Saturday, March 26
Bulgaria vs. Sweden
Romania vs. Holland
Wednesday, March 30
England vs. Azerbajan
Serbia vs. Spain
Israel vs. France
Saturday, June 4
Serbia vs. Belgium
Scotland vs. Moldavia
Wednesday, June 8
Finland vs. Holland
Belarus vs. Scotland
Wednesday, August 17
Latvia vs. Russia
Romania vs. Andorra
Saturday, September 3
Romania vs. Czech Republic
Sweden vs. Bulgaria
Wednesday, September 7
Czech Republic vs. Armenia
Belarus vs. Italy
Saturday, October 8
Russia vs. Luxembourg
Bulgaria vs. Hungary
Wednesday, October 12
Lithuania vs. Belgium
Austria vs. Northern Ireland
Belarus vs. Norway
-- Schedule of games subject to change
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