Global soccer's governing body, FIFA, is reportedly on the brink of signing a worldwide media rights deal with tech and content giant Apple. The deal, which could be worth $1 billion, would cover TV rights for the new and expanded version of the FIFA Club World Cup (CWC) competition.
The New York Times has reported that this groundbreaking deal could be announced as early as the end of April. If confirmed, it would mark a significant milestone in sports broadcasting history as FIFA has never before signed off on a global media rights agreement for any of its tournaments or properties.
The proposed agreement is expected to cover the enlarged edition of the CWC competition set to debut in mid-2025 in the US. This tournament will serve as an exciting build-up event before the 2026 FIFA World Cup scheduled to take place across three countries - US, Canada, and Mexico.
FIFA planning big with CWC with additions of big teams
The 2025 CWC will be unique not only due to its expanded format but also because it will feature more teams than ever before. From just eight currently participating teams, this number will increase dramatically to include 32 teams from around the world.
FIFA's continental governing bodies are all set to receive multiple team slots except for Oceania Football Confederation (OFC). Europe's UEFA is slated to have most representation with twelve teams involved including Chelsea, Real Madrid, Manchester City among others.
This revamped tournament format is planned to occur every four years. However, final details regarding precise scheduling are still being awaited by various clubs set to participate.
Apple looking to establish themselves in football’s growing market
Apple already holds worldwide rights for North American Major League Soccer matches through a decade-long partnership struck in mid-2022 worth $2.5 billion overall. Despite persistent rumors linking Apple with domestic rights for European soccer’s top leagues, the tech giant has yet to make a significant move in that market.
The potential deal with FIFA could further solidify Apple's position in the sports broadcasting landscape. It would also provide an exciting new platform for soccer fans worldwide to enjoy one of the most anticipated tournaments in global football.
This billion-dollar deal between Apple and FIFA could potentially revolutionize how global soccer events are broadcasted and consumed. As we await official confirmation, it's clear that this partnership could mark a new era for sports media rights and digital broadcasting.
