GENEVA (AP): FIFA finally sealed a World Cup broadcast rights deal for China at the weekend, just 27 days before the opening game, and at a much lower reported price than the football 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 US$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 Mengniu and electronics manufacturer Hisense.
Chinese conglomerate Wanda signed a long-term deal with FIFA 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 hosted by China and which Wanda said was part of its strategy with FIFA. The country's ambitions to host international soccer competitions stalled during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The 2030 men's tournament will be mostly hosted in Spain, Portugal and Morocco, with single games currently scheduled to be played in Argentina, Paraguay and the original 1930 World Cup host Uruguay.
The 2027 Women's World Cup will be played in Brazil and the 2031 World Cup mainly in the United States, along with Mexico, Costa Rica and Jamaica.
That hosting decision with no rival candidate is due to the confirmation in November by FIFA member federations. -- AP
