Who will telecast FIFA World Cup in India after Reliance-Disney deal collapse?

FIFA has not finalised a broadcaster for the 2026 World Cup in India after rejecting the Reliance-Disney joint venture's bid. The standoff has left one of football's biggest markets awaiting a late rights deal weeks before kick-off.

In Short

• FIFA rejected Reliance-Disney's reported $20 million bid over valuation differences
• The governing body had initially sought about $100 million for India rights
• Late-night kick-off timings are expected to dent viewership and advertising revenues

For Indian football fans, the countdown to the 2026 FIFA World Cup has come with an unexpected twist, there might not be a broadcaster yet. With barely weeks to go before kickoff, the biggest sporting event on the planet is still searching for a home in one of its fastest-growing markets.

It’s a strange spot to be in. Usually by now, promos are everywhere and fans know exactly where to tune in. This time, it’s all quiet. No confirmed TV partner, no streaming giant locking it in, just a lot of waiting.

At the centre of this uncertainty is a deal that didn’t quite land. The Reliance-Disney joint venture, which many expected to walk away with the rights, saw its bid rejected by FIFA. What followed is a rare standoff between global football’s biggest body and India’s biggest media players.

And now, with the tournament kicking off on June 11, the clock is ticking. Fast.

What makes this even more unusual is the scale. FIFA has already locked in broadcast deals across more than 175 territories. India, along with China, is one of the few major markets still hanging in uncertainty, something that almost never happens this close to a World Cup.

WHY DID FIFA REJECT RELIANCE-DISNEY DEAL?

At its core, this is a valuation mismatch.

FIFA initially wanted around $100 million for the India rights package, later bringing that number down significantly. But even then, broadcasters weren’t convinced.

The Reliance-Disney joint venture reportedly offered around $20 million. For FIFA, that was too low. For broadcasters, going much higher didn’t make business sense.

The reasons are pretty straightforward. Most matches will be played in late-night to early-morning slots for India (12:30 AM to 7 AM IST), which hurts viewership and ad revenues. And in a market still dominated by cricket, investing heavily in football rights remains a calculated risk.

WHO CAN TELECAST FIFA WORLD CUP 2026 IN INDIA?

At this point, it’s still up in the air. There’s no confirmed broadcaster yet, but that usually doesn’t stay unresolved for long, especially with a World Cup this close. Most signs point towards a late deal rather than a complete blackout, but until something is signed, it’s a bit of a waiting game.

Here are the realistic options still in play:

• Reliance-Disney (JioStar): Still the frontrunner despite the rejected bid. A late deal is very much possible if both sides meet somewhere in the middle on valuation.
• Prasar Bharati (Doordarshan): The safety net option. Could step in, especially for marquee games like semi-finals and final, under mandatory sharing rules.
• Sony Sports Network / ZEE: Both have been in discussions at some level, but neither has shown strong intent due to high costs and uncertain returns.
• FIFA+: The governing body’s own platform could become the fallback if no traditional broadcaster signs up.
• YouTube: A wildcard play. FIFA has already enabled streaming partnerships here, and select matches could land on the platform if needed.

One way or another, the World Cup will be available. The only question is whether it arrives through a big-ticket broadcaster or takes a completely unexpected route this time.

- Ends