January 8 – FIFA has stuck with traditional broadcast channels and in particular state-owned terrestrial channels with the award of the 2026 World Cup broadcast rights in each of the Nordic territories: DR and TV2 in Denmark, YLE and MTV in Finland, TV2 and NRK in Norway, and SVT and TV4 in Sweden.
Previously, the world federation had sold the rights to the 2023 Women’s World Cup to NENT in Scandinavia and YLE in Finland.
The new deal completes the current FIFA sales cycle for its properties. No rights fee was not disclosed for the sale.
In October 2020, Zurich began the tender for a package that included the flagship 2026 tournament as well as other events held between 2023 and 2025: U-17 and U-20 World Cups, 2023 and 2025 Beach World Cups and the Futsal World Cup.
In a statement FIFA’s Director of Media Rights & Content Services Jean-Christophe Petit said: “The expanded FIFA World Cup 2026 in North America is set to be an unforgettable event for football fans everywhere. We are pleased to be able to extend our partnership with the leading Nordic broadcasters, who provide strong platforms to ensure the best possible viewing experience for the largest audience.”
In 2026, the World Cup will be played for the first time in a 48-team format. The finals were expanded in a bid to generate more commercial revenue from both match-day income and TV rights sales. The Nordic broadcasters will provide live coverage of all 80 matches in each territory, up from the 64 matches in the current 32-team tournament format.
The United States will co-host the 2026 competition with neighbours Mexico and Canada after the American bid saw off Morocco.
Contact the writer of this story, Samindra Kunti, at moc.l1735189661labto1735189661ofdlr1735189661owedi1735189661sni@o1735189661fni1735189661