FIFA World Cup 2026 India broadcast deal nears end after months of ‘no-broadcaster’ uncertainty

Former All India Football Federation General Secretary Shaji Prabhakaran has confirmed that discussions for the India broadcast rights of the FIFA World Cup 2026 have been finalised, raising expectations of an official announcement in the coming days.

Taking to X, Prabhakaran said negotiations were complete and fans could soon expect clarity on the broadcasting partner. He added that the tournament would be fully accessible in India, easing concerns that had emerged over recent months regarding availability of coverage.

Uncertainty over broadcast rights

In recent weeks, there had been growing uncertainty over whether Indian broadcasters had secured rights for the tournament, which is scheduled to take place from June 11 to July 19, 2026.

The issue had even reached the Delhi High Court, which issued notice to the Centre and Prasar Bharati in connection with a petition seeking free-to-air telecast of the World Cup through platforms like Doordarshan and DD Sports.

The petition also argued that the tournament had been classified as a “sporting event of national importance,” making it necessary for public access under broadcasting regulations.

Earlier concerns over rights value

Reports had earlier suggested that FIFA initially valued India’s broadcasting rights package for the 2026 and 2030 editions at around USD 100 million. However, due to limited interest from broadcasters, the value was reportedly reduced to nearly USD 35 million, with negotiations taking longer than expected.

Despite the delay, Prabhakaran’s statement has now indicated that the long-pending issue may finally be resolved, bringing relief to football fans across the country.

If confirmed, the announcement will ensure wide accessibility for one of the biggest global sporting events, allowing millions of viewers in India to follow the tournament live.
(With ANI inputs)