-Editorial
For many sports broadcasters, working at the FIFA World Cup represents the pinnacle of their profession. For Imperial Valley native Marco Antonio Peralta, that dream has become a reality.
The El Centro-born announcer is serving as a Spanish public address announcer and in-game presenter at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, bringing his voice to some of the tournament’s most iconic venues in Mexico and achieving another milestone in a career that began in local media and has grown to reach the world’s largest sporting stage.
Among his assignments, Peralta served as the Spanish public address announcer for the World Cup opening match between Mexico and South Africa on June 11, an honor reserved for a select group of professionals trusted to engage and energize thousands of fans during one of the world’s most-watched sporting events.
“Proud and blessed to be the Spanish PA Announcer at Mexico City Stadium (Estadio Azteca) for the FIFA World Cup 2026! Extremely grateful to be working my second World Cup. God is good!” Peralta shared on social media.
Peralta, who was born and raised in El Centro, has been selected to serve as an in-game host and announcer for matches taking place at Mexico City’s Estadio Azteca and Guadalajara’s Estadio Akron. His responsibilities include delivering announcements in both English and Spanish, engaging spectators throughout the matches, and supporting entertainment, sponsorship, and marketing activations during the tournament.
His journey to the world’s biggest soccer stage began in Imperial Valley. Peralta attended Meadows Union School, graduated from Central Union High School in 2017, and earned an associate degree from Imperial Valley College in 2019.
His introduction to sports media came while he was still in high school. Encouraged by local sports radio personalities, he joined 95.3 FM The Edge as an intern. What started as production work soon evolved into on-air opportunities, allowing him to gain valuable experience covering local and regional sports.
Peralta has often credited his childhood passion for baseball, soccer, and sports broadcasting as the foundation for his career aspirations. Beyond the games themselves, he became fascinated by the voices behind the microphone—the announcers and broadcasters who brought sporting events to life for fans.
Following his early experiences in local media, Peralta worked with several organizations and outlets, including KXO Radio, The Edge, Audiorama, and his own podcast projects. Those opportunities helped him develop his communication skills, expand his professional network, and deepen his appreciation for storytelling through sports.
His career eventually expanded beyond Imperial Valley. Peralta worked with the Arizona Diamondbacks as a broadcasting assistant before joining the Los Angeles Angels organization, where he fulfilled a longtime dream by becoming the team’s public address announcer in Major League Baseball.
Peralta’s relationship with FIFA began during the 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup at State Farm Stadium in Arizona, where he served as a Spanish public address announcer and in-game host. His performance opened the door to future opportunities with FIFA, including an assignment at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Now, four years later, he has returned to the sport’s grandest stage as part of the FIFA World Cup 2026, becoming one of the voices heard by fans attending matches in Mexico and inspiring aspiring broadcasters from his hometown and beyond.
Reflecting on his journey, Peralta encourages students interested in journalism and sports broadcasting to pursue their goals with determination, perseverance, and resilience.
“Don’t let anybody tell you that you can’t achieve your dreams,” he said. “Mistakes and challenges are part of the process. Learn from them, keep growing, and continue working toward your goals.”
Peralta’s story has previously been featured in the “Believe in Your Dreams” section of Beyond Borders Gazette, where his path from Imperial Valley student to international sports broadcaster serves as a powerful example of what can be achieved through hard work, passion, and persistence.
