FOX Sports shelled out $400m for World Cup TV rights – then watched USA fail to qualify

The Rupert Murdoch-owned FOX were left red-faced on Tuesday night after the United States failed to qualify for Russia 2018.The companyforked out $400 million for the television rights to both the 2018and 2022 tournaments, but now face a moreuncertain tournament next summer while the U.S. players sit it out at home. Few will feel too sorry for FOX, though, who wereawarded rights to the 2026 World Cup without even having to bid for them –a token of gratitude from FIFA after FOX helped in the transitionof schedulingQatar 2022 for the winter.The company is projecting losses of '$10 to $20 million' in advertising sales after the USMNT's failings, which are made to look even worse given that a supercomputer predicted their chances of qualifying were 93% going into the final round of fixtures.As well aslosing to Trinidad Tobago, both Panamaand Honduras managed victories against Costa Rica and Mexico respectively - making this the first World Cup since 1986 that the USA have failed to make.See also...Trinidad follow up ridiculously lucky own goal with absolute screamer against USAMexico goalkeeper scores stupidly unfortunate own goal as Honduras qualify for World Cup play-offCrucial Panama World Cup qualifying goal doesn't actually cross lineIn Other News... on FourFourTwo.com