With the FIFA World Cup 2026 set to begin on June 11, excitement is building rapidly among football fans across the globe. Supporters are eagerly waiting to watch superstars like Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Kylian Mbappe light up the tournament once again. However, in India, discussions are now shifting toward a different concern, where and how fans will be able to watch the matches live.
As of now, FIFA has not officially finalised any broadcasting or streaming partner for India. This uncertainty has triggered debates among football followers, especially with less than a month remaining before the mega event kicks off. Neither television nor digital streaming arrangements have been confirmed yet, leaving fans anxious.
FIFA and JioHotstar fail to reach an agreement
According to multiple reports, JioHotstar was one of the leading contenders to secure the broadcasting rights in India. The platform reportedly offered nearly $20 million for the deal.
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However, FIFA did not accept the proposal, leading to the collapse of negotiations. Reports suggest FIFA was targeting a much larger amount for the media rights package covering both the 2026 and 2030 World Cups. The governing body allegedly demanded close to $100 million for the combined rights. For the 2026 edition alone, FIFA was reportedly expecting around $35 million.
JioHotstar, however, was unwilling to stretch beyond its original valuation. Since neither side agreed on the financial terms, the deal ultimately fell apart.
Sony also explored the possibility
Sources further claimed that Sony had also explored the possibility of entering the race for the rights. Despite initial interest, the broadcaster reportedly did not submit any formal bid.
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Interestingly, the Qatar World Cup in 2022 had a much bigger broadcasting agreement in India, with JioCinema reportedly securing the rights for nearly $60 million. This time, however, negotiations have become far more complicated, leaving the future of FIFA World Cup broadcasting in India uncertain.
