Two To Go: FIFA, Fox, Telemundo Fete Two Years To 2026 Men’s World Cup In U.S.
Tuesday, June 11, 2024 at 02:03PM By Barry Janoff
June 11, 2024: Describing it as "the greatest event, the greatest show, the greatest tournament the world has ever seen,” FIFA president Gianni Infantino said he is “counting down the days” until the FIFA Men’s World Cup 2026, scheduled to begin two years from today.
FIFA was joined in its celebration by Fox Sports and NBCUniversal Telemondo, the exclusive English and Spanish broadcast destinations, respectively, in the U.S.
The FIFA Men’s World Cup — hosted by the U.S., Canada and Mexico — is scheduled to begin June 11, 2026, in Estadio Azteca, Mexico City.
The final is scheduled to be played in MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ — home to the NFL’s New York Giants and New York Jets — on July 19.
"I am counting down the days, definitely. Like everyone else,” Infantino said during a global media event.
“Two years seems far away, but we know it is very, very close. In two years from now, the world will stand still and watch what is happening in North America. The trophy is already here, ready — we take care of it — and we are all getting ready, gearing up for the competition, preparing everything."
FIFA said the 2026 Men’s World Cup would be "the most inclusive FIFA World Cup of all time," with a record 48 teams and 104 matches hosted by 16 cities across three countries."
"In the Host Cities, of course, we are working with the authorities, with the stadium owners and operators, with the local communities," said Infantino.
“(A) fantastic collaboration everywhere. They are looking forward to millions and millions of fans from all over the world. The stadiums are absolutely beautiful. Every day, there are events which are being planned, which are taking place, be it with the authorities, be it with our partners, the sponsors, the broadcasters."
FIFA 2026 Men’s World Cup partners and sponsors include adidas, Anheuser-Busch (Budweiser), Aramco, Coca-Cola, Hyundai-Kia, McDonald’s, Mengniu, Qatar, Unilever’s Degree and Visa.
Official U.S. Soccer partners and sponsors include presenting partner Volkswagen, Allstate, Anheuser-Busch (Michelob Ultra), AT&T, Coca-Cola, Deloitte, Jim Beam, Marriott Bonvoy, New York Life, Nike, TicketMaster, Truly and Visa.
Due to the expansion to 48 teams and 104 matches, Fox said it would have about 63% more inventory to sell than the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
“As the sales cycle for the World Cup begins, we’ll be engaging with FIFA partners that are currently supporting the event,” Mike Petruzzi, senior vp, Fox Sports ad sales, told Variety.
“That process will kick off in a 70-day exclusive window, and from there we’ll begin to engage with other partners that have either supported the FIFA World Cup events with us in the past or other new partners that come to the table over the summer as FIFA continues to add to their roster of clients.”
Top categories include Automotive, Insurance, Consumer Electronics, followed by Financial Services, Entertainment and streaming platforms.
“We think demand is going to be significant,” said Petruzzi.
“We obviously spend a lot of time preparing for this; it’s the one property you really get to sell this far ahead — two full calendar years out.”
NBCUniversal Telemundo is commemorating the two-year countdown to FIFA World Cup 26 with promotional activation across Telemundo and select NBCUniversal platforms.
It will be anchored by a special on-site production and fan experience at the USMNT match against Brazil airing on Telemundo, Universo and Peacock June 12 in Camping World Stadium, Orlando.
Marketing includes a 30- and 60-second bespoke feature, “La Casa del Mundial - Verano 2026” running alongside key programming.
Activation will encompass NBCUniversal News Group programming, as well as across all Telemundo Network news and entertainment shows, and stations and affiliates.
Telemundo’s headquarters in Miami, Telemundo Center, and Universal Parks across the country “will dress up in FIFA World Cup 26 branding with a screen takeover.”
“For us, the World Cup is not just a sporting event, it is a defining cultural milestone, and this 2026 World Cup will make its mark for the sport in America, Latinos, and Telemundo,” Eli Velazquez,evp-sports, NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises, said via the company.
“From promotional spots to activations at Universal Theme Parks and programming takeovers, Telemundo kicks off the countdown to what promises to be the largest sporting event in the world.”
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