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Millions Could Miss Watching World Cup In India And China Amid FIFA Broadcast Crisis
TL;DR
Millions of soccer fans in India and China may miss the upcoming World Cup due to unresolved broadcast rights issues. A joint venture in India offered $20 million for the rights, but FIFA's asking price was significantly higher.
Key points
- Millions of fans in India and China may miss the World Cup.
- Broadcast rights negotiations have stalled in India.
- Reliance-Disney offered $20 million for the broadcast rights.
- FIFA's asking price was significantly higher than the offer.
- Sony decided not to pursue FIFA rights for India.
Mentioned in this story
FIFAReliance-DisneySonyIndiaChina
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NEW DELHI, May 4 (Reuters) - Millions of soccer fans in the worldâs two most populous nations may not be able to watch the World Cup that starts next month, due to a deadlock over broadcast rights in India and no official decision in China.
In India, a Reliance-Disney joint venture has offered $20 million for 2026 World Cup broadcast rights, a fraction of FIFAâs ask, which was not acceptable to soccerâs global governing body, two sources told Reuters on Monday. Sony 6758.T held talks but also decided not to make an offer for FIFA rights for India, a third source with direct knowledge said.
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There has also been no deal announcement for China, which FIFA says accounted for 49.8% of all hours of viewing on digital and social platforms globally during the 2022Â World Cup.
FIFA did not respond to a Reuters request for comment. Reliance-Disney, a joint venture led by billionaire Mukesh Ambaniâs Reliance RELI.NS, did not respond to requests for comment, and neither did Sony.
The lack of a confirmed broadcast agreement with India or China is unusual at this stage.
In past World Cups, including 2018 and 2022, Chinese state broadcaster CCTV secured the rights well in advance and began airing promotional content and sponsor-driven advertisements weeks before the tournament.
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CCTV, which has extensive reach across television and digital platforms, did not immediately return a request for comment.
Q&A
Why might millions miss the World Cup in India and China?
Broadcast rights negotiations have stalled in India, and no official decision has been made in China, potentially preventing fans from watching the tournament.
What was the offer made by the Reliance-Disney joint venture for World Cup rights?
The Reliance-Disney joint venture offered $20 million for the 2026 World Cup broadcast rights, which FIFA deemed unacceptable.
Which companies were involved in the broadcast rights negotiations for the World Cup in India?
The negotiations involved a Reliance-Disney joint venture and Sony, with Sony ultimately deciding not to make an offer for the FIFA rights.
What are the implications of the broadcast rights deadlock for soccer fans?
The deadlock could result in millions of fans in India and China being unable to watch the World Cup, significantly impacting viewership in these populous nations.
