Global soccer’s governing body FIFA has today begun its tender process covering UK broadcast rights to the men’s FIFA World Cups in 2026 and 2030.
This marks one of the most significant tenders launched to date by FIFA for media rights for the 2026 World Cup, which will take place across Mexico, the US, and Canada, as well as for the 2030 edition. That tournament will be held across six countries in total.
Given that the World Cup is expanding to in size to 48 teams and 104 matches in 2026, up from 32 sides at the last World Cup in Qatar two years ago, this means significantly more inventory for broadcasters to purchase.
The relevant invitations to tender (ITT) can be requested by interested entities by contacting uk-media-rights@fifa.org. The deadline for bid submissions is 11:00am Central European Time on April 29.
For Qatar 2022, UK coverage was provided by the BBC (the UK’s public-service broadcaster) and by commercial network ITV. Those networks struck a joint deal covering rights to both the 2018 (Russia) and 2022 editions in June 2014.
At the time, that deal was understood to be worth £200 million (at that point, $290 million).
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The tender covers rights across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Of these nations, England and Wales qualified for Qatar 2022.
In March, media rights tenders for the 2026 and 2030 tournaments were kicked off by FIFA in six European markets.
