FIFA Adds Verizon as 2026 World Cup Global Telecom Partner

Verizon has signed a deal with FIFA to be the official telecommunications partner for the 2026 men’s World Cup in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. The company also announced Tuesday it will be the “tournament supporter” for the U.S. during the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil.

The agreement is the first between the international soccer governing body and the American telecom company.

For the 2026 tournament, Verizon will provide connectivity services, including broadband, wireless internet and mobile phone, throughout all official tournament sites. Verizon already has infrastructure in place in stadiums that house NFL teams, as the gridiron league has its own sponsorship with the company.

Verizon is the biggest mobile provider in the U.S. with nearly 115 million subscribers as of March.

“Verizon is joining us on this journey to make football truly global,” FIFA president Gianni Infantino said in a statement, “and will create the network that brings fans, players, partners and media alike together in 2026.”

For the 2027 women’s World Cup, Verizon will provide activations, including giveaways and meet-and-greets with the U.S. players before they head to Brazil for the tournament.

“Verizon is committed to powering experiences that fans love, whether they’re on the ground or on the go,” said Verizon CEO and chairman Hans Vestberg.

Founded as Bell Atlantic, Verizon is the world’s second-largest telecommunication provider by revenue behind China Mobile.

In August, FIFA announced that Bank of America signed on to be the official global banking partner of the 2026 event—another first-time partnership with the soccer body.