After Landmark MLS Deal, FOX Sports Enters European Soccer as American Fans Can Watch Lionel Messi’s PSG This Season

FOX Sports has signed its second TV rights deal to broadcast soccer matches within a few weeks. Last month FOX Sports went into a four-year deal with MLS to broadcast selected games on the TV. Now, they have entered European soccer, taking Coupe de France (French Cup) rights for the US. The deal will allow US soccer fans to see the stars like Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe.

It comes as a second major deal for FOX Sports after acquiring rights for 34 regular season games and eight playoff games with MLS for the next four years. They will start the broadcast from this season that starts on 25th February 2023. The deal comes at the back of an MLS-Apple deal worth $2.5 billion over the next ten years.

FOX Sports to broadcast French Cup in the US

There were questions raised over who broadcast the French Cup games in the US after beIN SPORTS didn’t renew the deal that concluded in December 2022. However, FOX Sports has couped in and reached an agreement with France Football Federation (FFF) for the US.

The deal will now allow US soccer fans to witness the cup games too, along with Ligue 1 broadcasted by beIN Sports. Coupe de France is all set to start this week with a round of 64 matches. FOX Sports, with this deal, is contributing to raising the popularity of soccer in the country, with fans able to see the likes of Messi, Mbappe, and Neymar Jr. playing.

Soccer, regarded as the most popular sport on the planet, has started growing in the US, where American Football and basketball are still the most popular sports. However, the way Qatar FIFA World Cup unfolded, soccer has gained momentum in the US as they are next to host the World Cup in 2026. FIFA has also announced they want the competition to be a blockbuster with record revenues in their sight. 

PSG to kick off the French Cup campaign with Lionel Messi expected to be in the squad

PSG goes into the round of 64 campaign with their star player Messi back in Paris before the game. They take on the third-division side LB Chateauroux this weekend. With the quality and depth in the squad, fans predict PSG to get the job done.

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Messi was on extended holidays after the World Cup campaign and celebrations after that. His return is a boost to the club, who lost to their nearest rivals, RC Lens, last weekend in the Ligue 1. However, it will be interesting to see whether the Argentine star can make it to the squad after the gap. 

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Let us know your thoughts on the FOX Sports deal to broadcast the French Cup in the US. Will it help to gain popularity for soccer in the country?