Qatar-based broadcaster Al-Jazeera has bought the rights to show the World Cup in 2018 and 2022 across the Middle East and North Africa, the first broadcast package struck for the two tournaments by FIFA.
FIFA chose Russia to host the 2018 World Cup and awarded the 2022 edition to Qatar last month.
''FIFA's aim is to make the World Cup as accessible to as many people around the world as possible - and for this we thankfully have an immensely strong partner in Al-Jazeera Sport for the Middle East and North Africa,'' FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke said in a statement.
The deal covers all media platforms in 23 territories and countries, including Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Morocco and Palestine. The value was not disclosed.
''It is great news for football fans throughout the Middle East and Northern Africa, who will now be guaranteed the very best programming of the world's most followed sports event,'' said Nasser Al Khelaifi, general manager of Al-Jazeera Sport.
Al-Jazeera previously bought rights to screen the 2014 World Cup being played in Brazil.
Its coverage of the 2010 event in South Africa made headlines when millions of viewers missed some matches, or received commentary in the wrong language, because of deliberate interference with satellite transmissions.
Al-Jazeera called on Jordan's government to help investigate suspicions that the signal was jammed in that country.
