FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Claudia Martinez Wednesday, May 10, 2017 [email protected] FOX SPORTS WELCOMES GERMAN SOCCER LEGEND LOTHAR MATTHÄUS FOR FIFA CONFEDERATIONS CUP Los Angeles – German soccer legend Lothar Matthäus joins FOX Sports as studio analyst for the FIFA Confederations Cup Russia 2017, airing from June 17 to July 2 across the FOX Sports family of networks. The announcement was made today by David Neal, Vice President of Production and FIFA World Cup Executive Producer, FOX Sports. “We are delighted to welcome Lothar to the FOX Sports family as part of our world-class roster for the FIFA Confederations Cup Russia 2017,” said Neal. “As one of Germany’s all-time elite players, he brings invaluable knowledge and experience to our telecasts, as his former national team is set to face Australia, Chile and Cameroon in the tournament.” A Ballon d’Or recipient, Matthäus captained Germany’s World Cup winning team in 1990, holds the record for most appearances with the German national team, and is the only outfield player to have played in five World Cups. He makes his FOX Sports debut as studio analyst for the tournament on Monday, June 19. The FIFA Confederations Cup features eight teams, winners of each of the six FIFA confederation championships (UEFA, CONMEBOL, CONCACAF, CAF, AFC and OFC) along with the reigning FIFA World Cup champion and the host nation. The 2017 edition includes host Russia, 2014 FIFA World Cup winner Germany, Copa America champion Chile, CONCACAF Gold Cup winner Mexico, UEFA Euro champion Portugal, OFC Nations Cup winner New Zealand, AFC Asian Cup holder Australia and CAF Africa Cup winner Cameroon. “I am very happy and excited to partner with FOX Sports as an expert for the coverage of the FIFA Confederations Cup Russia 2017,” said Matthäus. “I enjoyed working with their team in L.A. during the Bundesliga Legends tour last year, and I am sure we will provide the U.S. audience exciting and unrivalled coverage during the tournament.” A superb finisher with a fierce shot, and the man whom Diego Maradona referred to as “the best rival I’ve ever had,” Matthäus began his professional career in 1979 playing for Borussia Mönchengladbach and made his debut for Germany against Holland at the 1980 UEFA European Football Championship. In 1984 he joined Bayern Munich and helped the team earn three consecutive league titles and a German Cup, reasserting Bayern’s dominance in Germany. He went on to play for FC Internazionale Milano, forming part of a winning team that took home the coveted Serie A’s Scudetto and defeated Roma in the 1991 UEFA Cup. That same year, he also received the first ever FIFA World Player of the Year award, an honor later won by Cristiano Ronaldo, David Beckham and Lionel Messi among others. Matthäus returned to Bayern Munich in 1992, winning four Bundesliga titles, a UEFA Cup and two German Cups before moving to New York City to join Major League Soccer’s MetroStars in 2000. He has coached multiple teams, including Bulgaria and Hungary’s national teams. All FOX soccer information, including biographies, photographs and archived press releases are available on FOX Sports Press Pass. --FOX SPORTS-- .