Apple could be close to signing a deal with FIFA, soccer’s global governing body, to secure global rights to broadcast a month-long World Cup-style tournament in the United States next summer, according to a new report.
Apple TV+ could broadcast a new World Cup-style soccer tournament
A deal between FIFA and Apple could be finalized this month, according to a report in the New York Times. He cited three anonymous sources.
FIFA chief Gianni Infantino has led multiple failed efforts to launch a new competition, including a plan for 2021 in China that fell victim to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The report noted that the deal could be worth only a quarter of FIFA’s initial estimate of $4 billion. And it’s not yet clear whether the deal will limit streaming to Apple TV+ or include free streaming rights for broader broadcasts. Even the name of the tournament remains in doubt, but the “FIFA Club World Cup” is under review.
Big football move for Apple TV+
If the deal is closed, it will be the first time that FIFA has agreed to a single contract globally. The agency also plans to bring an expanded 48-team World Cup to the United States in 2026.
And it would mark another big soccer move for Apple, which signed a 10-year, $2.5 billion deal in 2022 to stream Major League Soccer games.
Apple also owns the streaming rights to Major League Baseball games with its Friday Night Baseball series.
But so far it’s not going according to plan.
The competition is scheduled from June 15 to July 13, 2025, after the European football season.
The report suggested that a “combination of poor planning and delays” caused broadcasters and commercial partners to avoid paying the huge money FIFA was expecting from the new tournament. And sponsors have not committed to the $150 million that FIFA wants for sponsorship packages. FIFA has also not yet closed agreements on stadiums for matches.
“The deal needs to close soon so it can be announced ahead of upfronts later next month, during which entertainment companies will try to attract advertisers by talking about future programming,” the report states.
Neither FIFA nor Apple commented on the story.
“As a general practice, FIFA neither confirms nor denies commercial discussions,” FIFA said in a statement.
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