This decision was taken at a meeting on January 9 at FIFA headquarters in Zurich between representatives of the two organisations chaired by FIFA president Sepp Blatter. The WAN delegation included a representative of the major global news agencies, AFP, AP, Reuters and Getty.
WAN has asked FIFA to eliminate restrictions on the use of photographs in digital publishing, including via the internet.
The working group will attempt to find mutually agreeable solutions to the problem, including the existing post-match embargo of one hour on the publication of photos, as well as editorial restrictions on the use of photographs in printed editions of newspapers and the manner in which photos can be distributed.
FIFA invited WAN to name a representative to its media committee, which deals with all matters related to working conditions of media at FIFA events.
The two organisations agreed to meet again within a month to review progress.
Global sports organisations for sports from cricket to golf have imposed or are considering similar restrictions to protect their commercial rights programmes.
However, WAN says the practice endangers the right of newspapers to inform their readers and limits coverage of important events.
