File Photo: Egyptian sports minister Khaled Abdel Aziz (Photo: Ahram)
Egyptian Sports Minister Khaled Abdel-Aziz has said on Saturday that Cairo is in talks to obtain the broadcast rights of at least 24 World Cup matches for Egyptian television.
When asked during an interview with Egyptian TV channel ON E if Egypt would let local viewers watch the World Cup on Israeli channels like in 2014, Abdel-Aziz replied: "Egypt will also broadcast at least 24 matches of the competition."
"We are on the verge of making a deal in which we get the broadcast rights officially. We will announce the details as soon as we write the contracts, which will be within days," he added.
The minister said that the cost will be around $42 million, divided between more than one country, and Egypt will be paying between $6 and $10 million.
FIFA stated recently that Qatari TV network BeINSPORT "is the exclusive Media Rights Licensee for the Middle East and Northern Africa region," rubbishing reports linking the Israeli Broadcasting Corporation with World Cup broadcasts in Arabic for the wider region.
Egypt, who are seven-time African champions, have qualified for the World Cup for the first time in 28 years and will be in Group A alongside hosts Russia, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia.
"We will also provide streets with big screens to enable the people to watch the World Cup matches for free," Abdel-Aziz said.
In 2014, many Egyptian viewers watched the World Cup on Israeli satellite channels that broadcast the games for free.
Egypt will face Greece in Zurich on Tuesday, before playing Kuwait, Colombia and Belgium in their final training camp prior to the tournament, which begins in June.
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