FIFA Yet to Agree Broadcast Deals for 2026 World Cup in China and India
Broadcasters in China and India have yet to secure rights for the 48-team tournament that begins 11 June. FIFA has agreements in more than 175 territories but not in the two most populous countries.
montrealgazette.comBroadcasters in China and India have not yet secured rights to show the FIFA World Cup 2026, leaving the tournament without confirmed coverage in two of its largest potential markets weeks before the first match. The 48-team event opens on 11 June with Mexico playing South Africa at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City and includes 104 matches across North America.
Post by @Independent on X
FIFA has broadcasting agreements in more than 175 territories, but China, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Thailand and Myanmar are not among them.
In India, a joint venture between Reliance and Disney offered $20 million for the television rights. FIFA initially sought $100 million before lowering its price, according to Reuters. Sony expressed interest but did not submit a formal proposal.
In China, state broadcaster CCTV, which aired the 2018 and 2022 tournaments, has not reached an agreement. Beijing Daily reported that FIFA initially sought about $300 million for the Chinese rights before cutting the price by half, yet no deal was concluded. 7 per cent of the global linear TV reach of the 2022 World Cup, with 510 million viewers.
Together the two countries accounted for nearly half of all hours of the Qatar World Cup viewed on digital and social platforms. China has not qualified for the 2026 tournament and India has never played at a World Cup.
Most matches will kick off in the middle of the night in both countries, reducing their commercial value. In India, major broadcasters are reserving funds for the next Indian Premier League and the Women's T20 Cricket World Cup, which are viewed as more attractive properties.
FIFA has a deal with TikTok that will provide streamed clips and short-form content, but it will not generate the advertising revenue of a traditional broadcast agreement.
Chinese sponsors Mengniu and Hisense are together investing a reported $500 million in the tournament. Without a broadcast deal, their marketing campaigns in China risk losing impact. FIFA stated that "discussions in China and India regarding the sale of media rights for the Fifa World Cup 2026 are ongoing and must remain confidential at this stage".
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