L.A. Telemundo launching ‘Pasión Fútbol’ program

Telemundo 52, which serves the Los Angeles market, is expanding its local sports lineup with the launch of “Pasión Fútbol,” a 30-minute weekly soccer program debuting new editions on Sundays immediately following Premier League soccer matches, beginning Aug. 17, 2025.

Co-hosted by KVEA sports anchor Alejandro Navarro and “Acceso Total’s” Silvana Effio, the show will feature match highlights, showcase rising local talent, and spark lively conversation among fútbol fans across California as the excitement builds towards the FIFA World Cup 26.

“Pasión Fútbol will celebrate the passion, pride and talent that define the soccer community,” said Mike Gaytan, vice president of news at Telemundo 52, in a statement. “As we build towards the FIFA World Cup 26, we are proud to create a space where fans can connect, local stories can shine, and the excitement of the game comes to life every week.”

In addition to Telemundo 52, “Pasión Fútbol” will also stream on Noticias Telemundo California, the free ad-supported streaming TV, which is available across leading streaming and connected-TV services. The program will also be available on telemundo52.com, and on the free Telemundo 52 mobile apps.

Navarro currently anchors sports segments on “Noticiero Telemundo 52” at 5 p.m., 5:30 p.m., 6 p.m. and 11 p.m.

He joined Telemundo 52 in 2007 as the weekend sports anchor and was named weekday sports anchor in 2009.

Navarro is a 21-time Emmy Award winner and a four-time Golden Mike Award winner for his sports segments and storytelling. In 2022, he represented the Salvadoran community at the Dodgers’ inaugural Salvadorean Heritage night, where he threw the ceremonial first pitch. His coverage spans major historic sporting events, including the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, the 2022 FIFA World Cup group stage draw in Qatar, and the 2024 Olympics in Paris. Navarro has also reported on the NBA Finals, MLB World Series, MLS and Super Bowl LVI.

Effio is an eight-time Emmy Award-winning journalist, Effio brings more than 15 years of experience across local and national television, serving both English and Spanish-speaking audiences.

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Her reporting spans breaking news, investigative journalism, politics and entertainment, including an exclusive interview, most notably with Joshua Holt, an American prisoner in Venezuela.

Before joining Telemundo 52 in 2024, Effio anchored the news for Telemundo Colorado from 2021 to 2024. She previously spent seven years at Telemundo Utah, where she was the news director and news anchor. A native of Peru, she earned her bachelor’s degree in communications with an emphasis in journalism from the University of Utah.