A familiar face from the late-night world is heading back to television in a matter of days, but not in the way fans might expect. Instead of returning to the traditional talk-show format, the former host will be at the center of a limited series tied to the upcoming FIFA World Cup. The project could offer a glimpse at how networks approach late-night television in the years ahead.
Fox has announced FIFA World Cup on FOX After Hours with James Corden, a new late-night companion series that will air throughout the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The show will follow Fox's coverage of the soccer tournament and attempt to give fans a lighter look at the major moments, players, and more emerging from the world's largest sporting event.
The series marks a notable television comeback for the former Late Late Show host, whose CBS run ended in 2023 after eight seasons. Corden will be joined by former England national team captain Rio Ferdinand and comedian Ian Karmel.
Ferdinand provides instant soccer credibility and one of the sport's most recognizable voices. Karmel knows Corden well, as he was a writer on The Late Late Show with James Corden before eventually becoming head writer and an on-air personality. Their existing chemistry should help the show feel less like a traditional sports broadcast and more like the comedic atmosphere Fox wants from the show. Other celebrities from sports and entertainment are said to appear.
"What we're going to try and do is make it feel like if you couldn't meet up with your friends in a bar that night, we'll be there to have some fun," Corden said during Fox's upfront presentation.
The focus is likely to be less about tactical breakdowns and more about memorable moments, fan reactions, social media trends, celebrity guests, and the broader cultural chatter surrounding the tournament. Corden's own fandom for soccer should give the show an extra layer of authenticity.
In many ways, the concept sounds like the style of coverage that has become increasingly popular online. Companies such as Barstool Sports and several sports podcasts have engaged audiences by approaching games from the perspective of fans rather than analysts. The appeal isn't necessarily expert commentary, but instead it's the feeling of watching alongside entertaining personalities who are experiencing the event in real time.
That approach could play directly to Corden's strengths. Some of his most successful segments on The Late Late Show involved creating shared experiences rather than traditional interviews. Whether through Carpool Karaoke, audience games, or bits that showed off a different side of celebrities, Corden often succeeded when fans felt like they were part of the fun.
The timing of Corden's return is also interesting for late-night TV watchers. As traditional late-night television continues to face economic pressures and often struggle to hold TV audiences, networks may be looking for alternative formats. Rather than investing in year-round nightly programming, broadcasters could see opportunities to create event-based shows tied to major cultural moments.
The World Cup presents exactly that kind of opportunity for Fox. Millions of viewers will already be watching its match coverage. Creating a companion show allows the network to extend engagement with audiences.
It may even serve as a glimpse into how networks approach late-night television in the future. Instead of producing hundreds of episodes annually, companies may find greater value in creating limited-run shows built around major events such as the Olympics, World Cup, elections, awards shows, or other tentpole broadcasts.
For now, however, the focus is squarely on soccer. FIFA World Cup on FOX After Hours with James Corden premieres Thursday, June 11, the opening night of the tournament. Fans can look for the show to air live on FOX at approximately midnight ET following the network's match coverage.
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