Stu Holden hadn’t been recognized by his voice before − he was used to his play on the soccer pitch doing the talking.
That was until 2018, after Holden parlayed his 11-year playing career for one in broadcasting. By that summer, the former midfielder from Texas was calling the World Cup Final in Russia alongside broadcast partner John Strong.
Later that year, he realized they’d become two of the soccer world’s most-recognized voices during a trip to the grocery store. His 10-year-old daughter Kenna took off down an aisle, and Holden called after her. One customer’s ears perked up; he’d heard that voice on TV.
“You’re the guy that called the World Cup,” the customer exclaimed.
Now, Holden and Strong are gearing up to call their third straight World Cup Final for FOX on Sunday, July 19 at MetLife Stadium. They took alternate roads to get there. While Holden never considered becoming a broadcaster as a kid, instead representing the U.S. at the 2010 World Cup, Strong hasn’t known any other profession.
They’ve been FOX’s lead announcing team across the 2026 tournament, traveling 13,989 miles to nine U.S. cities in the group stage, per USA Today, as well as numerous knockout matches.
“It doesn’t honestly set in that we’re going to be the lead team for our third straight World Cup,” Holden said at a Zoom roundtable before the tournament. “We were kids at 32 years old. We’re both 40 years old heading into this, and it’s still young compared to broadcasting duos in other sports.”
Strong grew up in the soccer-crazed city of Portland, Oregon. His fervor for the sport truly began when the MLS’ Portland Timbers were reborn in 2001, followed by the 2002 World Cup when he was a rising senior in high school.
All that did was cement his dream of calling soccer matches.
“I lived a nocturnal life for a month watching that tournament,” Strong said. “I’ve watched ’94, I’ve watched ’98, I lived 2002. And so by that point, I was already all in on that’s what I want to do.”
Strong attended the University of Oregon’s journalism school, then got a job calling Timbers games in 2010. He eventually transitioned to NBC Sports to call MLS and Premier League games, which led to his move to FOX in 2015.
He’s been there ever since.
Meanwhile, Holden carved out a career with the U.S. men’s national team. He represented Team USA at the Under-20 and U-23 levels, then made his senior debut in 2009. Holden also played with clubs like the MLS’ Houston Dynamo and Premier League’s Bolton Wanderers from 2005-13.
In five years with the national team, Holden accumulated three goals and 25 caps, though his stint ended in 2013 after a torn ACL. He eventually retired from professional soccer in 2016 due to recurring knee issues.
Holden had a quick transition to the booth following his retirement, signing with FOX that same year and becoming its lead color commentator just two years later.
“It’s surreal for me to be a voice now of a tournament that I played in,” Holden said. “Unlike John, I didn’t grow up dreaming of being a broadcaster. It’s something that has found me, and it’s something I want to do, to steal a word from Alexi Lalas, until somebody pries it from my cold dead hands.”
Holden remembers Rob Stone, his colleague at FOX, being especially influential as he was learning to navigate the media industry. During one UEFA Champions League game in 2017, Holden “halfheartedly” sent the game to the halftime break with Juventus leading Bayern Munich, 1-0.
Stone wasn’t pleased. Out of the corner of his eye, Holden saw Stone storm over to the edge of his booth. He told Holden to give every call 100% effort − a message that aided Holden’s rapid ascension through FOX’s ranks.
“You never know when it’s gonna be your last moment, and I think that’s something Rob taught me so well,” Holden said.
What a scene. RD 16 USA and Belgium. Here we go. pic.twitter.com/PdkrG1pFaG
— Stu Holden (@stuholden) July 6, 2026
Since then, Strong and Holden haven’t slowed down. They called France’s World Cup win over Croatia in 2018, then Lionel Messi’s first title in Argentina’s thrilling penalty kicks victory in 2022.
This year, they’ve had an even more hectic schedule: all five of Team USA’s matches across the group and knockout rounds, as well as knockout games such as Argentina-Cape Verde and England-Norway.
How have they stayed sane across the tournament? Holden, knowing he has less experience, said he leans on Strong if he’s ever unsure during a match. Both agreed they can fall back on the other in those moments.
Now, their third dance is nearly over. And it means just as much to them as the first go.
“What I can say with complete certainty is there’s no two people to whom this means more, and there’s no two people who have worked harder to do the best job possible,” Strong said.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: John Strong, Stu Holden took opposite paths to World Cup Final at MetLife
