FIFA announced weeks before the start of the World Cup that talks were underway regarding the sale of media rights between the two countries.
Published May 5, 2026
Millions of soccer fans in the world’s two most populous countries may not be able to watch the FIFA World Cup, which begins next month, due to an impasse over broadcast rights in India and no official decision in China.
According to FIFA, India as well as China accounted for 49.8% of all viewing time on digital and social platforms worldwide during the 2022 World Cup, but no agreement was announced in China.
FIFA, soccer’s world governing body, told Reuters it had signed agreements with broadcasters in at least 175 regions around the world.
“Discussions between China and India regarding the sale of media rights for the 2026 FIFA World Cup are ongoing and should remain confidential at this stage,” the statement said.
It is unusual that no broadcasting agreements have been confirmed with India or China at this stage.
For past World Cups, including 2018 and 2022, Chinese state broadcaster CCTV secured the rights long in advance and began airing promotional content and sponsor-led advertising weeks before the tournament.
The 2026 tournament begins on June 11th, with just five weeks left to finalize contracts, install broadcast infrastructure and sell advertising inventory.
