Fox’s Soccer World Cup Deal Set to Get Sweeter Amid Expansion

  • FIFA set to expand World Cup from 32 teams to 48 for 2026
  • Fox managed to secure no-bid extension after Qatar fallout
Photographer: Clive Rose/Getty Images
Lock
This article is for subscribers only.

Soccer’s World Cup continues to deliver for U.S. broadcaster Fox Sports, the network that was controversially given an extension by FIFA allowing it to broadcast the tournament’s 2026 event.

On Tuesday, FIFA’s board is set to agree to expand the tournament from its current 32-team format to a likely 48 teams in 2026, increasing the value of television rights thanks to 16 extra games. Fox already scored a big win in 2015 when FIFA delivered it broadcasting rights for 2026 without conducting a competitive sales process.