US carrier Verizon has landed a contract to become the official telecommunications services sponsor for the next FIFA World Cup in 2026.
The deal will see Verizon provide its network connectivity across all the venues at the tournament, set to be held in Canada, Mexico, and the US; the first time three nations have co-hosted the event.
The telco stated that it will "power the FIFA World Cup experience for fans, players, the media, and more."
It is Verizon's first deal with the global football governing body. Financial terms of the agreement were not shared.
Verizon said that it will provide its network across the various host stadiums. The 2026 World Cup is set to be the biggest ever, with 48 teams and 104 matches in total.
The carrier also secured an agreement to become the "tournament supporter" in the US for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027, which will host 32 teams.
Among the stadiums hosting the event is AT&T Stadium in Dallas, Texas, notably sponsored by rival telco AT&T.
“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,” said Hans Vestberg, chairman and CEO of Verizon.
“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.”
Providing more information on the partnership, Verizon told DCD that it will provide in-stadium WiFi and millimeter wave solutions for high-capacity mobile Internet and streaming during the tournament.
This is something Verizon has carried out in partnership with the National Football League (NFL) across stadiums.
Verizon also added that it will "power broadcasting, transportation, and other FIFA technology solutions," which it notes are still being ironed out.
Earlier this year, Verizon signed a multi-year agreement with the National Hockey League (NHL) to deploy private 5G services across hockey arenas in the US and Canada for the league's teams.
The company said its private 5G network will provide use cases for spectators, match officials, and coaches.
