Communications Connection: Verizon, FIFA Join For Men’s ’26, Women’s ’27 World Cups
Tuesday, September 24, 2024 at 02:46PM By Barry Janoff
September 24, 2024: Calling it an alliance that would “make football truly global,” FIFA has signed a deal naming Verizon as the “official telecommunication services sponsor" for the FIFA Men's World Cup 26 in Canada, Mexico and the U.S.; and a “tournament supporter in the U.S.” for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 in Brazil.
Financial terms for the deal — the first agreement between FIFA and the network provider — were not shared.
“The FIFA World Cup and the FIFA Women’s World Cup are events that bring together global communities with a shared passion for the game,” Hans Vestberg, Verizon chairman and CEO, said via the New York-based company.
“Verizon is committed to powering experiences that fans love, whether they’re on the ground or on the go. Our partnership with FIFA will power this connection for soccer fans around the world and enable the type of experience that only Verizon can deliver.”
The 2026 Men’s World Cup 104 games will be played in 16 cities, including 11 stadiums in the U.S. where Verizon already works with NFL franchises, according to Vestberg.
The final is scheduled for MetLIfe Stadium, home to the NFL’s New York Giants and Jets.
“We are basically embedded in all the stadiums already,” Vestberg said, via AP Sports. “We are going to see that all the fans have the best experiences in the stadiums.”
Under the arrangement, Verizon said it would be “powering future FIFA World Cup experiences for fans, players, media and more.”
For the FIFA World Cup 26, Verizon’s “connectivity services will play a vital role across stadiums, official sites and various parts of the tournament operations.”
As an official tournament supporter in the U.S. for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027, Verizon will bring “experiences for fans leading up to, during and after the games, including activations, unique giveaways and player meet-and-greets ahead of the tournament.”
“Football unites the world, and to unite the world we need to ensure that everyone is connected,” FIFA president Gianni Infantino said via the organization.
“Verizon is joining us on this journey to make football truly global, and will create the network that brings fans, players, partners and media alike together in 2026.”
According to Infantino, “We believe in the power of unity and, together, we’re excited about how Verizon’s involvement in these two groundbreaking tournaments can help grow the global game.”
FIFA global partners include adidas, Aramco, Coca-Cola, Hyundai-Kia, Qatar Airways and Visa.
World Cup 26 sponsors include Anheuser-Busch (Budweiser), Bank of America, PepsiCo’s Lay’s, McDonald’s, Mengniu, Dove Men+Care and Verizon.
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