In Russia, rights have been granted to the 2SPORT2 consortium, representing Channel One, RTR and Match TV.

It is claimed this will "ensure comprehensive coverage of the competition", which is scheduled to take place from June 14 to July 15.  

The deal draws a line under what had been a concerning issue within Russia and at FIFA . 

In Italy, Mediaset has secured live rights to all 64 matches to be aired on its free-to-air channels.

The rights sales process in Italy was conducted by the MP & Silva agency on behalf of FIFA.

Rights in both territories have been awarded on a platform-neutral basis, allowing fans to enjoy television, internet, mobile and radio coverage of the competition.

"We are delighted to take two important steps closer to finalising the global broadcast offering for 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia," Philippe Le Floc’h, FIFA’s chief commercial officer, said.  

"The Russian consortium of broadcasters did a fantastic job of transmitting the FIFA Confederations Cup 2017 this summer in the host territory, and we know that they will help to convey the special atmosphere that we will enjoy in Russia next summer.

"In the Italian market, we are very pleased to have Mediaset as a partner and Italian fans will be able to enjoy all 64 matches of the FIFA World Cup on free-to-air channels."

Through the sale of media rights for its football tournaments, FIFA generates income that is described as "essential to support and develop football around the world, for instance through the FIFA Forward Development Programme".

FIFA only reached an agreement to broadcast the Confederations Cup on Russian television at the last minute, signing a deal with the 2SPORT2 consortium.

The tournament, which was held from June 17 to July 2, was shown on Channel One and Match TV as part of the deal.

It was also broadcast on RTR.

The deal came after Russian officials had warned they may not show live coverage of the tournament, claiming FIFA had elevated the price for the television rights.

FIFA did not reveal the exact fee Russian broadcasters paid. 

In April, Telesport President Peter Makarenko told insidethegames that Russian channels had paid $32 million (£24 million/€27 million) for the 2014 World Cup and the Confederations Cup in Brazil the previous year.

He accused FIFA of putting an "unreasonable" price tag on the television rights for the two tournaments and claimed they had demanded four times more than for previous tournaments.

FIFA have raised the price for the 2017 and 2018 competitions to around $120 million (£90 million/€101 million), Makarenko claimed.

Host countries tend to pay more for television rights for the two events, normally sold as a package, than when they are not staging the tournament, however.