Fifa World Cup

Fifa will exceed its global media-rights target of $3bn (€2.544bn) for the 2018 men’s World Cup tournament by about six per cent, TV Sports Markets understands.

Kan, the Israeli public-service broadcaster, has tendered rights to 17 Fifa World Cup matches in order to recoup some of its financial outlay on the tournament.

Italian media group Mediaset said this week it expected to make a healthy profit on its acquisition of 2018 Fifa World Cup rights by showing all matches free-to-air.

Spanish commercial broadcaster Mediaset acquired all rights to the 2018 Fifa World Cup in a deal worth at least 15 per cent less than Fifa earned for 2014.

Rai, Mediaset and Sky were all expected to bid this week for a cut-price 2018 Fifa World Cup. The rights in Italy have plummeted in value since the national team failed to qualify for the tournament, losing a play-off to Sweden.

The Infront Sports & Media agency looks well placed to earn a healthy margin on its World Cup rights across Asia following this month’s deal with Chinese state broadcaster CCTV.

Fifa has earned a surprisingly strong fee for 2018 Fifa World Cup rights in Greece from ERT after taking back the rights from the Taf Sports agency.

Stiff competition for Fifa’s in-flight and in-ship rights drove incumbent partner IMG to double its guaranteed fee in a new deal last month.

The attempt by MP & Silva to terminate a deal with Fifa for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups in Italy is being challenged by football’s global governing body, just months after the two appeared to have reached a settlement.

The Chinese government has intervened in the sale of media rights to the 2018 and 2022 Fifa World Cups in the country, ensuring a deal will eventually be struck with state broadcaster CCTV.