FIFA turned down Reliance-Disney’s $20 million offer 5 weeks before the start of the tournament in the US, Mexico and Canada
FIFA rejected an offer of US$20 million made by a strategic partnership between the Indian company Reliance Industries and The Walt Disney Company for the rights to broadcast the 2026 World Cup in India, according to information from Reuters published this Monday (May 4, 2026).
With around 5 weeks left until the start of the tournament, scheduled for June 11, 2026, there are still no deals closed in key markets such as India and China. The definition involves not only media rights, but also the structure of broadcasting and the sale of advertising.
Sony Group Corporation even negotiated with FIFA for the Indian market, but chose not to present a proposal. THE Reutersfootball’s governing body said it had signed contracts in more than 175 territories and said that negotiations with China and India are ongoing and confidential.
In the 2022 World Cup, China accounted for 49.8% of viewing hours on digital platforms and social networks and 17.7% of the global linear TV audience, according to FIFA. India accounted for 2.9% of linear TV, and the two countries combined for 22.6% of global digital streaming reach.
Initially, FIFA asked for around US$100 million for the rights to the 2026 and 2030 World Cups in India, but reduced the demand throughout the negotiations. Still, he showed no interest in the US$20 million proposal from joint venture Reliance-Disney, which estimates a smaller audience in the country, mainly because most games will be shown after midnight local time. The competition will be played in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
In China, China Central Television traditionally holds the broadcast rights to the World Cup, but has not yet announced an agreement for the 2026 edition. Companies involved in the negotiations did not comment on the matter.
