Apple may be close to signing a deal with FIFA, soccer’s global governing body, to secure worldwide rights to air a monthlong World Cup-style tournament in the United States next summer, according to a new report.
Apple TV+ could air new World Cup-style soccer tournament
An agreement between FIFA and Apple could finalize as soon as this month, a report in The New York Times said. It cited three anonymous sources.
FIFA chief Gianni Infantino has led multiple failed efforts to launch a new competition, including a 2021 plan in China that fell victim to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The report noted the deal might be worth just a quarter of the initial FIFA estimate of $4 billion. And it’s not clear yet if the deal will limit broadcasts to Apple TV+ or if it will include free-to-air rights for wider showings. Even the tournament’s name remains in question, but apparently “Mundial de Clubes FIFA” is under review.
Big soccer move for Apple TV+
If the deal gets made, it will be the first time FIFA agrees to a single, worldwide contract. The agency also plans to bring an expanded, 48-team World Cup tournament to the U.S. in 2026.
And it would mark another big soccer move by Apple, which signed a 10-year, $2.5 billion deal in 2022 to stream Major League Soccer matches.
Apple also owns streaming rights to Major League Baseball games with its Friday Night Baseball series.
But it’s not going as planned so far
The competition is planned for June 15 to July 13, 2025. That’s after the European soccer season.
The report suggested a “combination of poor planning and delays” caused broadcasters and commercial partners to steer clear of paying the huge money FIFA hoped for with the new tournament. And sponsors have not committed to the $150 million FIFA wants for sponsorship packages. FIFA has not yet made stadium deals for matches, either.
“The deal must be concluded soon in order to be announced ahead of the upfronts later next month, during which entertainment companies try to woo advertisers by talking about future programming,” the report stated.
Neither FIFA nor Apple commented for the story.
“As a general practice, FIFA does not confirm or deny commercial discussions,” FIFA said in a statement.
