Eurosport, the pan-European pay-TV broadcaster, will show the 2023 FIFA Club World Cup (CWC) soccer competition in the Indian subcontinent after agreeing a sub-licensing deal with 1Stadia, the US-based sports technology and media rights firm.
Under the agreement, Eurosport will show every match from the tournament in India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh.
The broadcaster’s coverage started with yesterday’s opening fixture in which Saudi Pro League champions Al-Ittihad beat OFC Champions League winner Auckland City 3-0 at their King Abdullah Sports City Stadium home in Jeddah where the tournament is being held.
Other sides participating in the CWC, which will end with a final on December 22, include English Premier League side Manchester City, who are representing Europe after winning the UEFA Champions League last year, as well as Copa Libertadores winner Fluminense, AFC Champions League winner Urawa Red Diamonds, CAF Champions League winner Al-Ahly, and Concacaf Champions League winner Club Leon.
In July, 1Stadia secured exclusive rights to events organized by soccer’s world governing body FIFA this year across the Indian subcontinent.
Along with the CWC, the deal included the Women’s World Cup, the Beach Soccer World Cup, and the U17 World Cup.
1Stadia holds rights in India, as well as Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Bhutan.
Last year’s CWC was shown across the Indian subcontinent by the FIFA+ streaming platform.
FIFA has secured several broadcast deals for the CWC over the past week with the likes of TNT Sports in the UK and Ireland, social media-based news outlet Cronache Di Spogliatoio (Italy), Globo (Brazil), and Max Sport (Bulgaria).
This year’s edition will be the last featuring seven teams, with the competition set to expand to include 32 sides from 2025.
