Former AIFF general secretary Shaji Prabhakaran says the official broadcaster for FIFA World Cup 2026 in India is expected to be announced next week after months of uncertainty over media rights.
The FIFA World Cup trophy on display after its unveiling during its trophy tour with Coca-Cola India leadership at the Taj Mansingh hotel, in New Delhi on Saturday, January 10, 2026. (Photo: IANS/Wasim Sarvar)
A big relief for football fans in India after days of uncertainty around the broadcast of football’s mega event, the FIFA World Cup 2026, with less than a month left before the tournament begins. Former All India Football Federation (AIFF) general secretary Shaji Prabhakaran shared a major update, claiming that the official announcement regarding the tournament’s broadcasting partner in India is expected next week.
Posting on X, Prabhakaran wrote, “BIG NEWS FOR INDIAN FOOTBALL FANS! The wait is finally over. Negotiations are complete, and the official announcement for the FIFA World Cup 2026 broadcasting partner in India is expected next week! After months of uncertainty, fans can finally relax, the World Cup will be fully accessible in India. Get ready for the biggest World Cup in history!”
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BIG NEWS FOR INDIAN FOOTBALL FANS!
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The wait is finally over. Negotiations are complete, and the official announcement for the FIFA World Cup 2026 broadcasting partner in India is expected next week! 🇮🇳
After months of uncertainty, fans can finally relax, the World Cup will be…
— Shaji Prabhakaran (@Shaji4Football) May 23, 2026
The statement comes after growing apprehension surrounding the World Cup’s broadcast situation in India, with the tournament now less than three weeks away. So far, no broadcaster has officially confirmed the acquisition of media rights for the Indian market.
The tournament is scheduled to begin on June 11 across the United States, Canada and Mexico, with the opening match set to start at 12:30 am IST on June 12.
The issue had also reached the Delhi High Court earlier this week, where Prasar Bharati informed the court that it was not responsible for securing the broadcasting rights for the tournament. The hearing took place before Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav following a petition demanding nationwide access to major World Cup matches through free-to-air platforms such as Doordarshan and DD Sports.
Also Read: No FIFA World Cup broadcaster in India even with 30 days left? Delhi HC issues notice to center
The petition, filed by advocate Avdhesh Bairwa, sought directions to ensure that key matches, including the opening game, quarterfinals, semifinals and final, were made accessible to viewers across India through Doordarshan or DD Sports. However, during the May 19 hearing, the petitioner withdrew the plea while seeking liberty to approach another court for appropriate relief.
During the proceedings, submissions highlighted India’s massive football following, noting that Indian audiences generated nearly 745.7 million digital engagements during the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar despite the national team not qualifying for the tournament.
The major hurdle in finalising the broadcast deal has reportedly been the valuation of media rights. According to multiple reports, FIFA initially valued the Indian rights package — clubbed with the 2030 FIFA World Cup cycle — at around USD 100 million before reducing it to nearly USD 35 million due to limited market response. It was also stated during court proceedings that a USD 20 million bid from JioStar had been rejected.
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