Millions of football fans in India and China may face limited access to the FIFA World Cup 2026 due to ongoing delays in securing broadcast agreements.
In India, a joint venture between Reliance Industries and The Walt Disney Company has reportedly offered $20 million for the rights—significantly below FIFA’s expectations. Meanwhile, Sony Group has opted not to submit a bid.
No official broadcaster has been confirmed in China either, despite the country accounting for a substantial share of global viewership during previous tournaments. Traditionally, China Central Television had secured rights well in advance.
With the tournament set to begin on June 11, negotiations remain ongoing, raising concerns about broadcast readiness and potential disruption for audiences in two of the world’s largest markets.
Irish Samachar English News