ASU alum’s journey from the Valley to announcing the World Cup

An Arizona State University alumnus has taken broadcasting skills he learned in the Valley of the Sun all the way to the World Cup.

Marco Peralta is the Spanish-language announcer in Mexico City at Estadio Azteca.

“I get to watch the best sport in the world, basically get paid to do it. It’s something unique, I’m very blessed for it,” Peralta told KTAR News 92.3 FM.

Peralta’s journey from learning about broadcasting to being a part of the world’s biggest sports tournament began when he announced for the Gold Cup at State Farm Stadium.

The Gold Cup is North America’s continental title tournament run by the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF), the governing body for soccer in those regions.

“But what I didn’t know is that the show director was a guy for FIFA. So, after the show, he told me I did a great job (and) let’s stay in touch,” Peralta said.

From there, Peralta went on to work on the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, before he was asked to take on his current role announcing the games in Mexico City.

“And I said, ‘Estadio Azteca?’ That’s the most historic stadium in North America, absolutely I am going to do it,” he recalled.

Now his voice is heard by more than 80,000 fans at every match, ringing over cheers, applause and the fan frenzy Peralta says defines the World Cup experience.

 

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Peralta explained that growing up, his mom’s advice was to speak Spanish at home while learning English at school, a piece of advice he emphasized gave him the ability to take on announcing the World Cup.

“What I tell people a whole lot is if you have the gift of being bilingual, use it to the best of your advantage because you never know how many doors are going to open,” he added.

ASU alum hopes him announcing World Cup inspires others like him

While his path to FIFA started in the Valley, Peralta says he keeps his hometown of El Centro, California, close to his heart in everything he does.

“I grew up in a small trailer in El Centro, like I said, very low income. My dad was gone for a couple of years because of immigration. And even to this day, he goes through health issues. But I tell myself, like, don’t let those be a setback. Use them as motivation,” Peralta explained.

He hopes his story inspires other young people who weren’t able to attend large sporting events.

“Many other young Marcos out there in the world, boy or girl, that wish they would be in the very seat I’m at. … It’s for them,” Peralta said.

Peralta believes if he was able to get to the World Cup from his beginnings in El Centro, anyone can do what they put their mind to.

And for himself, he’s been able to use his voice to describe history in the making, such as witnessing Mexico’s Guillermo Ochoa take the field in his sixth World Cup, a feat matched only by Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

“Because it’s not just announcing, it’s honoring,” he said.

Peralta noted he still gets a little nervous before a match, but that feeling is outweighed by the excitement.

“Being a guy of faith, having faith in God is fundamental for me. And just having faith and working hard, you’ll see where it takes you,” he said.

If you haven’t been able to watch a match from Mexico City, you can hear Peralta behind the mic on his Instagram as well.

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