No FIFA World Cup 2026 broadcast deals signed in India, China

Discussions connected the merchantability of media rights successful some countries are ongoing, FIFA says weeks earlier the World Cup begins.

Millions of shot fans successful the world’s 2 astir populous nations whitethorn not beryllium capable to ticker the FIFA World Cup, which starts adjacent month, owed to a deadlock implicit broadcast rights successful India and nary authoritative determination successful China.

There has been nary woody announcement successful China, which FIFA says accounted for 49.8 percent of each hours of viewing connected integer and societal platforms globally during the 2022 World Cup, arsenic good arsenic successful India.

FIFA has concluded agreements with broadcasters successful astatine slightest 175 territories globally, the planetary governing assemblage for shot told the Reuters quality agency.

“Discussions successful China and India regarding the merchantability of media rights for the FIFA World Cup 2026 are ongoing and indispensable stay confidential astatine this stage,” the connection said.

The deficiency of a confirmed broadcast statement with India oregon China is antithetic astatine this stage.

In past World Cups, including 2018 and 2022, Chinese authorities broadcaster CCTV secured the rights good successful beforehand and began airing promotional contented and sponsor-driven advertisements weeks earlier the tournament.

The 2026 tourney kicks disconnected connected June 11, leaving hardly 5 weeks for a woody to beryllium finalised, broadcast infrastructure to beryllium acceptable up and advertizing inventory to beryllium sold.