May 5 – A month out from kick-off, fans in the two most populous countries on earth still don’t know if they will be able to watch the World Cup.
According to sources cited by Reuters, broadcast rights deals for India and China remain unresolved. In India, a Reliance-Disney joint venture has offered $20 million. FIFA initially asked for $100 million covering the 2026 and 2030 tournaments, then dropped its number significantly. The two sides are still apart.
Sony entered talks but ultimately walked away without making an offer. China, which accounted for 49.8% of all hours of digital and social viewing globally during the 2022 World Cup, has no deal announcement either.
FIFA, in a statement, said it has “concluded agreements with broadcasters in over 175 territories globally.”
This is unusual at this stage. Most major rights deals are wrapped up months before a tournament. Broadcasters need lead time for marketing, production, ad sales, and on-air talent.
India and China are prize markets of the next 20 years. FIFA wants to set a precedent for the 2030 cycle and beyond, but a World Cup blacked out in two countries that together hold 2.8 billion people is not a story FIFA wants to tell.