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FIFA faces World Cup broadcast crisis as India's Reliance offers USD 20 million
As the 2026 World Cup nears, India and China have not secured broadcast deals. Reliance-Disney offered $20 million for India rights, far below FIFA's asking price, and Sony also chose not to bid; discussions in both countries are ongoing with no deal announced.
Why It Matters
A lack of confirmed rights in large potential markets could affect fan access and FIFA revenue ahead of the tournament.
Timeline
4 Events
May 4, 2026: Current negotiations and offer in India
May 4, 2026
As of May 4, 2026, Reliance-Disney offered $20 million for the 2026 World Cup broadcast rights in India, far below FIFA's asking price of around $100 million. Sony also decided not to bid. FIFA said discussions in China and India are ongoing and must remain confidential, with the tournament starting on June 11, 2026 and roughly five weeks left to finalise deals.
2022: CCTV rights context and viewing shares
2022
China accounted for 17.7% and India 2.9% of the global linear TV reach of the 2022 World Cup. The two countries together accounted for 22.6% of total global digital streaming reach.
September 2021: Reliance secures India rights for 2022 World Cup
September 2021
Reliance's then-standalone media arm secured the India broadcast rights for the 2022 World Cup for about $60 million, announced around 14 months before the event in Qatar.
2018: CCTV secures World Cup rights well in advance
2018
In the 2018 World Cup, Chinese state broadcaster CCTV secured the rights well in advance and began airing promotional content and sponsor-driven advertisements weeks before the tournament.