The Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) made the announcement on Wednesday that it has reached an agreement with the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) to televise the Women’s World Cup in 2023. This prevented a contentious blackout in the ‘Big Five’ European countries.
The agreement comes after a stalemate on the rights for the competition that will take place in Australia and New Zealand in July and August between the governing body of global football and broadcasters in France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom. At issue were the rights for the tournament.
According to FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who was quoted on the organization’s website, FIFA is “delighted to widen the deal with the European Broadcasting Union for the transmission of the upcoming FIFA Women’s World Cup to include the five major markets within their existing networks, namely France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom, as well as Ukraine, thus ensuring maximum exposure for the tournament.”
There was no disclosure made on the deal’s monetary terms.
Infantino has already leveled criticism at broadcasters in the ‘Big Five’ European nations for providing a sum that was far lower than the amount paid to carry the men’s World Cup.
One of the challenges in Europe was the time difference, which meant that games were sometimes played in what was considered the early morning on the continent. Infantino, however, said that this was not an acceptable justification for the delay in games.
In October of 2017, FIFA and the EBU came to an agreement for 28 nations. The names of numerous European countries who will be playing in the World Cup, including Sweden, Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Portugal, were left off of the extended list of 34 nations that was released on Wednesday.
The agreement with the EBU concerned networks that broadcast content without the need for a subscription, as opposed to subscription channels.
The Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) included ARD and ZDF in Germany, BBC and ITV in the United Kingdom, France Televisions, RAI in Italy, and RTVE in Spain on their roster. M6, a French television network that is not affiliated with the EBU, was also revealed to be a broadcaster.
“Most interesting, and growing at the fastest rate.”
“The FIFA Women’s World Cup is one of the sport’s most exciting and fastest growing events, and we are committed to working hand-in-hand with FIFA to ensure that the women’s game is enjoyed by as many people as possible across the continent,” said EBU director general Noel Curran. “We are committed to working hand-in-hand with FIFA to ensure that the women’s game is enjoyed by as many people as possible across the continent.”
The first ever Women’s World Cup will take place in Australia and New Zealand from the 20th of July to the 20th of August, and will include a record-setting 32 teams competing for the title.
The total prize money up for grabs for the competing teams will also be boosted to $150 million, which is a significant increase from the $50 million up for grabs in 2019, as well as a significant jump from the $15 million up for grabs in 2015.
The sum is still insignificant when compared to the $440 million prize money that will be up for grabs in the 32-team men’s World Cup in 2022.
Fatma Samoura, the secretary general of FIFA, was quoted by AFP one month ago as saying, “We have a good product, the very best of women’s sport.”
“The topic of equality is being discussed by everyone. The translation of these words into deeds is something that is very important to us. Putting a reasonable value on the World Cup is the easiest thing that can be done. That is the only thing that we are requesting.
Axel Balkausky, the head of ARD, had said in the past that his network had made a competitive offer for the rights and had informed the German publication FAZ that broadcasters “would not allow themselves to be blackmailed.”
Bernd Neuendorf, the head of the German FA, issued a statement on Wednesday in which he expressed his “delight” at “avoiding a blackout” and at having a contract that would be “of enormous importance for the further development of women’s football in Germany.”
Martina Voss-Tecklenburg, the coach of the German women’s team, expressed gratitude to “everyone involved for reaching an agreement.”
“At this point, we are in a position to move into the phase of preparation with even more momentum and positive energy.”
Alexandra Popp, the captain of the German national team, said in May that a blackout during the World Cup would be “so bad for women’s football” and accused the administration of using “empty words” in the continuing conflict.