Millions of football fans in India and China risk missing next month's World Cup as broadcast rights remain unresolved in both nations. With the tournament starting on 11 June, just five weeks remain for deals to be finalised.
In India, a joint venture between Reliance and Disney reportedly offered $20 million for the 2026 World Cup rights, far below Fifa's demand. Sony also declined to bid. Fifa initially sought $100 million for the 2026 and 2030 tournaments, but lowered its ask, though not to $20 million, sources said.
China has yet to announce a broadcaster, despite accounting for 49.8 per cent of global digital viewing hours during the 2022 World Cup. State broadcaster CCTV, which secured rights early for previous tournaments, did not comment.
Industry sources note that football lacks cricket's commercial appeal in India, and an advertising slowdown has dampened revenue expectations. Reliance-Disney, despite investing billions in cricket, anticipates lower World Cup viewership due to unfavourable time zones.
Rohit Potphode of Dentsu India described the situation as “the end of a chess game with a couple of moves left.” Fifa and the Reliance-Disney venture did not respond to requests for comment.
