Saudi Arabia in talks with FIFA for World Cup broadcast rights

Saudi Arabia’s General Sports Authority (GSA) is holding direct negotiations with FIFA for the viewing and broadcasting rights of 22 matches in the 2018 Football World Cup, which begins next Thursday, Al Arabiya reported, citing unnamed sources.

The 22 matches include all Saudi national team games, if they qualify for further stages of the tournament.

If the deal goes through, it would give Saudi Arabia the same viewing rights as many other nations in the region, the report said.

The Middle East television airing rights for the tournament are currently held by Qatar-owned beIN Sports, which is not authorized to broadcast in Saudi Arabia.

June 11 is the deadline for the final decision between FIFA and the Saudi sports authority.

Saudi Arabia plays the opening game against Russia on Thursday.