World Cup viewing in doubt for millions of fans in India and China - Reuters

<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMi0wFBVV95cUxQR3RnRDc3WFdLeTlTWENrTUJKMTA5VTNleTFuVTJweEFDVXljTFZScjZONlNMMVRqa1phdTloblBGSmhHNGtjNXowVkI0ZGZzT2hLb2dYcGZGemppMjQxaVI3SlQ3YkRjNi15TW1majV0bmk1a19IWDZ2X0duWFBkTTZPZUMwZ05vRVdHWW9yemlwc0xfTnZydzY3Z19vMXFBd2tLTGtMbjFHckwyV2JLRHZxdlV5aDRoNWRuNXJGMWlwc2VwV3FfMlNSWS1kc2lCQmtZ?oc=5" target="_blank">World Cup viewing in doubt for millions of fans in India and China</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<font color="#6f6f6f">Reuters</font>

A broadcast rights deadlock in India and no official decision in China could prevent millions from watching the World Cup. In India, a Reliance-Disney joint venture offered $20 million for broadcast rights, which FIFA rejected. No deal has been announced for China, which accounted for nearly 50% of global digital and social platform viewing during the 2022 World Cup.

Millions of football fans in the world’s two most populous nations may not be able to watch the World Cup, which starts next month, because of a deadlock over broadcast rights in India and no official decision in China. In India, a Reliance-Disney joint venture has offered US$20 million for 2026 World Cup broadcast rights, a fraction of Fifa’s ask, which was not acceptable to football’s global governing body, two sources said on Monday. Sony held talks but also decided not to make an offer for Fifa rights for India, a third source with direct knowledge said.

FIFA has not yet finalised broadcast rights deals for the upcoming World Cup with India and China, potentially leaving millions of fans in the world's two most populous nations unable to watch the tournament. In India, a joint venture between Reliance and Disney reportedly offered $20 million for the 2026 World Cup rights, a figure deemed unacceptable by FIFA, who had initially sought $100 million for broadcast rights for the 2026 and 2030 World Cups.