Football's world governing body has announced that it has extended its Middle East and North Africa broadcast rights agreement with Qatar-based broadcaster Al Jazeera to cover the 2018 and 2022 World Cup football tournaments.
In a statement Wednesday, FIFA Secretary-General Jerome Valcke said his organization's aim is to make the World Cup as accessible to as many people around the world as possible.
It is the first time FIFA has signed a broadcast package for two tournaments at the same time. Financial details of the agreement were not released. The deal covers all media platforms in 23 territories and countries, including Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Morocco Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Lebanon and Libya.
Al Jazeera had previously purchased the rights to the 2014 World Cup being played in Brazil. Last month FIFA chose Russia to host the 2018 World Cup and awarded the 2022 tournament to Qatar.
