The Women’s World Cup will be broadcast in the UK, Spain, France, Germany and Italy after FIFA extended its agreement with the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), ending the possibility of blackouts in Europe’s biggest soccer nation.
The rights to this year’s tournament are being sold separately from the men’s World Cup for the first time, and FIFA president Gianni Infantino said last month that the five nations faced blackouts unless the “unacceptable” bids were improved.
In October 2022, FIFA and UEFA, which represents national media organizations on the continent, announced an agreement in principle confirming that the World Cup will be broadcast live in 28 European regions.
This agreement has now been extended to the five countries plus Ukraine.
“FIFA is pleased to extend the agreement with the European Broadcasting Union to broadcast the upcoming FIFA Women’s World Cup… thus ensuring maximum exposure of the tournament,” Infantino said in a statement.
“As part of this agreement, UER has committed to working to stream at least one hour weekly content dedicated to women’s soccer on its digital platform and broadcast network,” the statement read. “This will provide significant promotional opportunity and exposure for women’s football, which is a priority for us, in line with FIFA’s commitment to the long-term development of the sport.”
Infantino said broadcasters initially only offered between $1 million and $10 million for the rights to this year’s tournament in Australia and New Zealand, compared to a range of between $100 million and $200 million for the men’s World Cup.
The ninth Women’s World Cup kicks off in Sydney and Auckland on July 20.
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