Does ESPN have the rights to the World Cup 2022?

For the World Cup 2022, many US fans would want to watch on ESPN.

However, ESPN does not have the rights to air the 2022 World Cup in the United States. Those rights, as they did in 2018, belong to FOX and FOX Sports.

FOX took over the rights to FIFA competitions following the conclusion of the 2014 World Cup. Therefore, FOX’s World Cup coverage started in 2015 during the Women’s World Cup in Canada. ESPN is still a key player in the soccer world, particularly with ESPN+ carrying significant content.

Yet, FOX is the home of international competitions in the United States. This applies to the World Cup, Gold Cup, Copa America and, starting in 2024, UEFA European Championship. FOX and FS1

Does ESPN have World Cup 2022?

The simple answer is no. You are probably asking that because for decades ESPN held the rights to the World Cup. That all started back in 1994, when the World Cup came to the United States for the first time. ESPN and ABC acquired the rights to the World Cup.

Since then, ESPN broadcasted some of the most famous moments in the history of the World Cup. The 7-1 thrashing by Germany against hosts Brazil in 2014 came off the back of Iniesta’s dramatic goal to win Spain’s first World Cup. Before then, ESPN aired Zinedine Zidane’s headbutt in the 2006 final, as well as Brazil winning the World Cup in 2002, in what was a fairly controversial tournament.

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Regardless, FOX took over the role. After broadcasting the 2018 World Cup, it is set to air World Cup 2022 to the millions of Americans. Plus, it is FOX’s first time being able to broadcast the USMNT at the World Cup after the side missed out on qualification to 2018.

The 2022 World Cup TV schedule is effectively laid out already. FOX plans to announce its full squad of World Cup crews and talent as the World Cup nears in November of 2022.