FIFA Criticizes ‘Slap in the Face’ Offers as Women’s World Cup Might Not be Televised

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has issued a warning that the Women’s World Cup may not be broadcast in several European countries if the bidding outlets do not provide acceptable and fair offers. At present, there have been no announcements for broadcast rights in the UK, Spain, France, Italy, and Germany. Infantino re-emphasised this critique during the World Trade Organisation’s (WTO) headquarters meeting in Geneva, branding the offers as “a slap in the face of all the great FIFA Women’s World Cup players and indeed of all women worldwide”. If the offers fail to be fair towards women and women’s football, then FIFA may refrain from broadcasting Women’s World Cup into European countries commonly referred to as “Big Five”. The UK government did add the FIFA Women’s World Cup to the Listed Events Regime in April 2022, which means it must be offered to free-to-air broadcasters. A concrete deal is yet to be agreed, but there are ongoing discussions with potential UK broadcasters. The 2023 tournament will be the first Women’s World Cup after Fifa’s overhauled commercial structure announced in 2021. This step unbundle the women’s game from the men’s, permitting brands to take up exclusive partnerships solely for women’s football programs.