FIFA World Cup 2026 Broadcast Deal in India Expected Soon

Exciting news for Indian football fans as the former AIFF general secretary announces that discussions regarding the FIFA World Cup 2026 broadcast have concluded. An official announcement about the broadcasting partner is expected next week, alleviating concerns about access to the tournament. With the World Cup set to begin on June 11, fans can look forward to full coverage. The issue of broadcast rights has been a topic of concern, especially given India's significant football fan base and the financial challenges surrounding the rights acquisition. Stay tuned for more updates!

By Narendra Chaudhary May 23, 2026, 13:28 IST

Broadcasting Partner Announcement Imminent

File image of FIFA World Cup Trophy (Photo: @aajtakabhijit/X)

New Delhi, May 23: Shaji Prabhakaran, the former general secretary of the All India Football Federation (AIFF), has announced that discussions regarding the Indian broadcast of the FIFA World Cup 2026 have reached a conclusion. An official announcement regarding the broadcasting partner is anticipated next week.

In a post on X, he shared, "Exciting news for Indian football enthusiasts! The wait is finally over. Negotiations have been finalized, and we expect the official announcement for the FIFA World Cup 2026 broadcasting partner in India next week! After months of uncertainty, fans can finally breathe easy; the World Cup will be fully accessible in India. Prepare for the biggest World Cup ever!"

This announcement follows a period of concern regarding the broadcast of the World Cup, which is less than three weeks away. As of now, no broadcaster has confirmed the acquisition of media rights for the tournament in India, which is set to kick off on June 11 (June 12, 12:30 am IST) across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

The matter recently escalated to the Delhi High Court, where Prasar Bharati clarified that it was not responsible for securing the broadcasting rights for the event. This was discussed during a hearing presided over by Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav. A petition was filed requesting that the general public have access to all major tournament events through platforms like Doordarshan and DD Sports.

The petition, submitted by advocate Avdhesh Bairwa, sought a directive to broadcast all significant football tournament matches, from the opening game to the final, including quarterfinals and semifinals, on Doordarshan or DD Sports, ensuring availability to every Indian. However, during the hearing on May 19, Bairwa requested permission to withdraw the petition and the liberty to approach another court for appropriate relief.

In court submissions, it was highlighted that India boasts the second-largest football fan base, with Indians generating approximately 745.7 million digital engagements with football events during the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, despite not qualifying for the tournament.

The primary challenge regarding the broadcast rights is the financial aspect. Reports indicate that FIFA initially valued the Indian rights package at around USD 100 million as part of a combined package deal for the 2030 FIFA World Cup. However, due to a lackluster market response, this was later reduced to USD 35 million. It was also noted during court proceedings that a USD 20 million bid from JioStar was turned down.