A deal has been struck between FIFA and the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) to televise the 2023 Women’s World Cup, avoiding a controversial blackout in the ‘Big Five’ European nations.
World football’s governing body and broadcasters in France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom were at odds over the rights for the competition in Australia and New Zealand in July and August.
The financial details of the deal were not disclosed.
Infantino had criticized broadcasters in the ‘Big Five’ European countries for offering substantially less than the amount paid to show the men’s World Cup.
The time difference in Europe was a stumbling block, as games are often played in the early morning in Europe, but Infantino said that wasn’t an excuse.
FIFA and EBU struck a deal last October for 28 countries. Wednesday’s list omitted Sweden, Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Portugal, which are competing in the World Cup.
Free-to-air networks were involved in the deal with the EBU.
ARD and ZDF in Germany, BBC and ITV in the UK, France Televisions, RAI in Italy, and RTVE in Spain are listed by FIFA. M6, which is not part of the EBU, is also listed as a broadcaster in France.
