Why is the 2026 WC TV rights being awarded to Fox without a bid such a bad thing? We can all agree that a bid process would've probably made FIFA more money, but should that really be a concern? When it comes to soccer, ESPN can be called opportunistic at best. Their soccer coverage is downright awful and when they do show games, more often then not they're on ESPN 3. The only time there's any discussion on soccer is on their separate show, ESPN FC, because apparently soccer needs to be relegated to late nights and segregated from 'American' sports. Fox is much more soccer-friendly and it's much better for fans.
Some speculate it has to do with the change of calendar in Qatar. FOX was not too happy with the Winter World Cup since it will conflict with College Football and NFL coverage . So in order to appease FOX people hypothesize that they gave them a discount on 2026 and just gave it to them to shut them up. That does not seem fair to some.
Maybe FIFA can just make the 2022 WC the 2022 Confederations Cup. It is ridiculous having it in November-December. I would rather FIFA let Qatar use all domed stadiums and fake grass to keep it in June-July.
Even that would be a problem since teams have to train and fans have to live in the heat for many days. It would be a nightmare for hotels and businesses filling up to the brim and people dying in the heat that can't find any place with space.
This upcoming World Cup has everything in it to go wrong. But then again in My opinion the Russia world cup was going to be a disaster as well but i was sorely mistaken. My question is how do you guys feel about Fox still having the TV Rights to the tournament given their lackluster attempt at covering the 2018 World Cup?
Difference. Russia had all the ingredients for hosting a great tournament. It was just a question of effort and money. Qatar doesn't have the basic ingredients. No amount of money is going to make it great. Its just a question of trying to minimize the disaster.
I agree it isn't a big deal, it would be nice if the soccer coverage started to gain more momentum though.
The FIFA WORLD CUP 2022 has been a disaster, people killed alleged bribes, heat causing move from June, July to November. the sooner the FIFA World Cup 2022 is over and done with the better.