With a little over a month remaining before the 2026 FIFA World Cup gears into action, millions of football fans in India could be left with no means to watch the coveted tournament, as no Indian company is yet to receive the broadcasting rights from FIFA.
As reported by Reuters, Indian companies, including the Reliance-Disney joint venture, JioHostar, are facing a deadlock with FIFA over broadcasting rights. JioHotstar had tabled $20 million for 2026 World Cup broadcast rights, but it was knocked back by FIFA.
The report adds that JioHotstar's offer was a fraction of FIFA's ask and was, therefore, not acceptable for the governing body. Sony also held talks with FIFA over the World Cup broadcasting rights but decided not to make an offer.
FIFA reportedly sought a valuation of $100 million for the sale of broadcasting rights of FIFA World Cup 2026 and FIFA World Cup 2030.
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JioHotstar had secured the rights for the 2022 FIFA World Cup for $60 million, with the organising group looking for a similar amount this time out. Reuters reports that JioHotstar believes this World Cup will have lower viewership as the tournament is being played in North America, which would translate to matches being aired after midnight.
In addition to India, China is also yet to confirm a broadcaster for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which is unsual at this stage given that in past World Cups, the Chinese state broadcaster CCTV had secured the rights well in advance.
This is even more so unusual given that FIFA has already concluded broadcasting deals with 175 countries.
"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," FIFA told Reuters.
This leaves the entire viewing experience of the World Cup in a limbo, with just five weeks remaining before the deal can be finalised, the systems get built and then the broadcast gets advertised.
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