Univision FIFA World Cup Germany 2006 team.

Univision Communications Inc. has announced the sportscasters for its exclusive Spanish-language broadcast of the FIFA World Cup Germany 2006™ tournament – the most important competition in international soccer and the most popular sporting event in the world. Univision’s lineup is a combination of the most noteworthy, seasoned sportscasters and former players from the Spanish-speaking world, including Pablo Ramírez, Jesús Bracamontes, Jorge Pérez-Navarro, José Luis Chilavert, Bruno Vain, Enrique Borja and Fernando Fiore.

Together, Univision’s announcer team will provide viewers with play-by-play coverage, insightful commentary, and comprehensive analysis of every one of the 64 matches taking place in 12 cities throughout Germany starting on June 9 in Munich and culminating in Berlin on July 9. More than 50 million viewers are expected to tune in to Univision during this year’s tournament.

“We are thrilled to boast such an impressive lineup of talented soccer commentators and former players for our exclusive Spanish-language 2006 FIFA World Cup tournament coverage,” said David Downs, President, Univision Sports. “We have comprehensive, around-the-clock coverage of World Cup action and no sportscasting team knows soccer like these seven gentlemen. Their expertise, enthusiasm, and insight will provide the in-depth coverage that soccer fans have come to expect from the Univision Networks.”

Pablo Ramírez and Jesús Bracamontes:

Known as “La Torre de Jalisco,” Pablo Ramírez is the pre-eminent voice of soccer in the U.S., having previously served as announcer for the 2002 World Cup tournament, two Copa Américas, three Gold Cups and hundreds of Fútbol Liga Mexicana matches for Univision, TeleFutura and Galavisión. Returning as color analyst for a second World Cup is “El Profe” himself, Jesús Bracamontes, a former Chivas coach and Mexican National Team assistant, who also serves as color analyst for Fútbol Liga Mexicana matches.

Jorge Pérez-Navarro and José Luis Chilavert:

Anchor of TeleFutura’s “Contacto Deportivo de Ford”, the only nightly, live sports-magazine on Spanish-language television, Jorge Pérez-Navarro, who called the action for Univision at the 2002 World Cup, returns to the microphone with José Luis Chilavert, the celebrated Paraguayan goalkeeper of the 1998 and 2002 World Cups, who brings high energy and colorful personality to the booth.

Bruno Vain and Enrique Borja:

A rising star in play-by-play commentary with many international matches to his credit, Bruno Vain joins Enrique Borja, the beloved Mexican hero of the 1966 and 1970 World Cups, a star of both UNAM Pumas and Club América in the Mexican Soccer League, and former president of the Federación Mexicana de Fútbol.

Rounding out the panel is the Emmy-award winning presenter of “República Deportiva” Fernando Fiore, one of the foremost authorities on “fútbol,” who will host all games from Univision’s Munich broadcast studio.

Univision will broadcast all 64 World Cup matches live across every time zone in the country. Each match will have a minimum 30-minute pre-kick-off segment. The opening match, both semi finals and the final match will have a one-hour pre-game show. The Network’s comprehensive coverage will allow soccer enthusiasts to fully experience the World Cup and see the pomp and ceremony live, beginning with the players emerging from the tunnel to the field. Every match will be rebroadcast the same day on either TeleFutura (7:30 p.m. ET/PT) or Galavisión (5:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. ET/PT). Additionally, Univision will have a special half-hour edition of “Primer Impacto”, the #1 newsmagazine show in the nation among Hispanic viewers, at 5:30 p.m. ET/PT. “Contacto Deportivo de Ford”, the nightly 11:00 p.m. ET/PT sports newscast on TeleFutura, will expand its broadcast to one hour during the World Cup to accommodate additional highlights, interviews, features and analysis.