FOX and Telemundo have won the race to air another FIFA World Cup in the United States before anyone even fired the starting gun.
FIFA announced an extension of its contracts with FOX and Telemundo on Thursday, allowing the networks to broadcast the 2026 World Cup exclusively in English and Spanish in America. FIFA extended its partnerships with FOX and Telemundo without conducting a formal, open bidding process as it did with other tournaments.
In 2011, FOX and Telemundo mounted successful bids of $425 million and $600 million, respectively, to air the 2018 and 2022 World Cups in the United States. Other FIFA competitions, including the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup and the U-20 World Cups are included in both the original and extended agreements with the U.S. broadcasters.
FOX revealed little in its brief statement about its extended partnership with FIFA.
“These events are some of the world’s most important sports competitions, and it is our privilege to be entrusted with these rights in the United States,” Fox said in a statement, deferring further comment to FIFA, according to the Associated Press.
Niether FOX, Telemundo nor FIFA disclosed financial details of the extended deal.
Thumbnail photo via Ross D. Franklin/The Associated Press
