FIFA and Apple TV are ‘close to a broadcast agreement for 2025 Club World Cup,’ as tech giant ‘could fork over $1billion’ for tournament featuring Man City and Real Madrid

FIFA and Apple TV are reportedly close to an agreement over the broadcast rights for the 2025 Club World Cup, which will feature an expanded field of 32 teams and European giants such as Man City and Real Madrid.

Last year, Apple TV entered the world of soccer streaming when it signed a massive 10-year deal worth $2.5 billion with Major League Soccer.

And now it appears the tech giant will strike a deal with FIFA, according to the New York Times, in an agreement that would mark the first time the soccer governing body has sold broadcast rights to just one company.

Although FIFA had reportedly estimated the value of the tournament at $4 billion, the Times said Apple could win the rights to the Club World Cup for “only” a quarter of that amount – or $1 billion.

The newly expanded tournament format was scheduled to debut in China in 2021, but plans were thwarted due to the COVID pandemic.

Apple previously signed a 10-year, $2.5 billion deal with Major League Soccer

The 2025 tournament will be held in the US in preparation for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada.

Nevertheless, sponsors have reportedly been ‘reluctant’ to pay the $150 million in sponsorship fees that FIFA is asking for.

The deal would represent another major investment in football for Apple after the deal with the MLS.

With Lionel Messi joining Inter Miami last summer, the early returns on Apple’s investment were promising, as the company passed two million subscribers to the MLS Season Pass (the streaming service launched by MLS and Apple) last year, according to Sports business magazine.

The 2025 Club World Cup will feature a host of top teams from around the world, with Bayern Munich, PSG, Flamengo and Monterrey among the confirmed participants.

The tournament will reportedly be played between June 15 and July 13 next year.