FIFA, the global governing body for soccer, has initiated tender processes in New Zealand and the Pacific Islands for the next three World Cups. The tournaments include two men's events scheduled for 2026 and 2030, as well as a women's tournament slated for 2027.
The tender process specifically covers the men's World Cups to be held in Mexico, US, Canada (2026), Portugal, Spain, Morocco (2030), and the Women’s World Cup set to take place in Brazil (2027). In contrast to this regional focus on New Zealand rights tenders, those launched across various Pacific Islands cover both the 2026 and 2030 men’s tournaments along with the women’s event of 2027.
Interested parties are encouraged to submit their bids via email before May 27 at 10am Central European Standard Time. The emails should be sent either to newzealandmediarights@fifa.org or fwc26-media-rights@fifa.org and fwwc2027-media-rights@fifa.org depending on whether they pertain to New Zealand or Pacific Island rights respectively.
Scope of tenders across Pacific Islands
The scope of these tenders extends across numerous territories within the Pacific region including Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati among others; French Polynesia territories such as New Caledonia; American Samoa; Wallis and Futuna.
New Zealand recently qualified for its first Men's World Cup appearance after a gap of sixteen years. The Oceania Football Confederation is set to begin its qualifying process for women's tournament later this year in November. Previously co-hosting with Australia was a significant milestone despite an early exit from group stages by their national team.
In terms of previous rights-holders within these markets: Sky NZ, a pay-TV heavyweight, broadcasted the 2022 World Cup in New Zealand. The women's edition of 2023 was covered live domestically by both Sky NZ and Stuff multi-media hub. In the Pacific Islands, Women's World Cup was aired free-to-air by Pasifika while Digicel, another pay-TV provider, broadcasted the men's tournament of 2022.
