Thierry Henry has signed up to be part of the BBC’s 2014 World Cup coverage in Brazil next summer.
The French World Cup winner will be part of the corporation’s studio presentation team based in Rio, joining presenter Gary Lineker as well as the likes of Rio Ferdinand, Clarence Seedorf, Alan Shearer, Phil Neville and Alan Hansen.
Henry will warm up for the role with a special studio appearance on BBC One’s Match Of The Day on Saturday, December 14, working alongside Lineker and Shearer.
The Frenchman has played at four World Cups, winning the competition in France in 1998, followed by a European Championship win two years later.
Henry will be part of the BBC World Cup during his break from playing for the New York Red Bulls in the MLS.
Scorer of 51 goals in 123 appearances for France, Henry said: “I am delighted to be joining Gary Lineker and the rest of the BBC team for the tournament in Brazil.
“I’ve enjoyed playing in World Cups, but to experience it as a fan and studio analyst will be a new, exciting challenge.
“I’ve been fortunate enough to play with and against many of the players taking part, so will look forward to watching their performances this summer.”
Presenter Gary Lineker is delighted to have Henry as part of the team: “Thierry is one of the best strikers to have graced the game and really resonates with the British audience after such a successful time at Arsenal.
“He is full of charisma and brings with him tremendous insight from his career in France, Italy, Spain, England and the USA.”
Philip Bernie, BBC Head of TV Sport, said: “We are thrilled to have Thierry as part of our team, and he joins our exciting line-up, which has a wealth of international experience.
“He has witnessed first-hand all the emotions this great competition has to offer, as one of the outstanding players of his generation, and we are sure he will now enjoy offering his greatly informed opinions to our audiences.”
Earlier this week, the BBC and ITV agreed the split for next summer’s World Cup matches.
ITV will show the opening match of the tournament between hosts Brazil and Croatia on June 12, while the BBC begins its live coverage with the defending champions Spain against the Netherlands, in a repeat of the 2010 World Cup final, on June 13.
