FIFA finally seals World Cup broadcast deal in China at just $60M

TL;DR

FIFA has secured a broadcast rights deal for the World Cup in China for $60 million, significantly lower than the $300 million initially sought. The agreement covers the next four World Cups through 2031, despite China not qualifying for the 2026 tournament.

Key points

FIFA secured a $60 million broadcast deal in China.
The deal covers four World Cups through 2031.
China did not qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
FIFA initially sought $300 million for the rights.
The agreement is with China Media Group.

Mentioned in this story

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World Cup

GENEVA (AP) — FIFA finally sealed a World Cup broadcast rights deal for China on Friday, just 27 days before the opening game and at a much lower reported price than the soccer body wanted. The overall agreement with China Media Group covered the next four World Cups — two each of the men's and women's — through 2031, FIFA said in a statement. It includes the 48-team, 104-game men's tournament in North America starting on June 11 that China did not qualify for. Chinese state-affiliated media reported on Friday the 2026 World Cup rights were valued at $60 million. FIFA originally sought $300 million, Chinese media reported in recent weeks as the deadline to strike a deal drew closer. A rights deal for India has not been confirmed. “It’s a real pleasure that we have found an agreement with CMG,” FIFA secretary general Mattias Grafström said in the soccer body’s statement. He was in China this week, also for meetings with officials from the Chinese soccer federation. FIFA's leverage in China was less because of the time difference of up to 15 hours from Beijing to the 16 host cities spread across the United States, Canada and Mexico. Chinese companies have already made a big investment in the 2026 World Cup which is set to earn FIFA more than $11 billion. Technology firm Lenovo is one of FIFA's eight top-tier sponsor partners, and second-tier deals were signed by dairy firm and electronics manufacturer . Chinese conglomerate Wanda signed a in 2016 which was terminated two years ago. The value of the TV rights were not disclosed for the 2030 World Cup, which once might have been and which Wanda said was part of its strategy with FIFA. The country's ambitions to host international soccer competitions . The 2030 men's tournament will be mostly hosted in , and , with single games currently scheduled to be played in , and the original 1930 World Cup host . The 2027 Women's World Cup will be played in and the mainly in the United States, along with Mexico, and . That hosting decision with no rival candidate is due to the confirmed in November by FIFA member federations. \\_ AP Writer Didi Tang in Washington, D.C., contributed. \\_ AP World Cup coverage:

Q&A

What is the value of FIFA's World Cup broadcast deal in China?

The broadcast rights deal for the World Cup in China is valued at $60 million.

Which World Cups are included in FIFA's deal with China Media Group?

The deal includes the next four World Cups, specifically two men's and two women's tournaments through 2031.

Why did FIFA's broadcast rights deal in China come at a lower price?

FIFA's leverage was reduced due to the time difference and China's lack of qualification for the 2026 World Cup, leading to a final deal of $60 million instead of the initially sought $300 million.