FIFA’s high price for watching the World Cup signals some easing of uncertainty

POBNEWS Dhaka, May 28, 2026 : With 14 days left for the 2026 World Cup, Bangladesh is still uncertain about its broadcasting rights. Initially, there were concerns about whether the country would be able to broadcast this World Cup due to the high price set by FIFA. The recent situation indicates that the cloud of uncertainty has eased somewhat. India is also in a similar situation in the broadcasting process.
Springbok, a Singapore-based company that holds the media rights for Bangladesh, recently withdrew from its contract with FIFA. In an interview with the media, the company’s CEO Gopal Padia said that they gave up the contract rights because they could not sell the rights in Bangladesh.
In March this year, FIFA and the company signed a contract worth about 7.211 million US dollars, or about 880 million taka. However, FIFA canceled the contract with Springbok after it failed to pay multiple installments within the stipulated time.
Since then, new possibilities have emerged in the broadcasting market in Bangladesh. Currently, a joint venture of T-Sports and Star News and a Dubai-based company are in talks to buy the broadcasting rights directly from FIFA. According to the officials concerned, FIFA has agreed to reduce the price they are asking for Bangladesh considering the market situation and now talks are underway to finalize the deal.
The Bangladesh government also sought free broadcasting rights, citing the fact that it is a state-owned broadcaster. FIFA rejected the request, saying that a large part of the income from broadcasting rights is spent on developing local football. Therefore, giving the rights for free is not possible.
At the same time, almost the same complications have arisen in India. There, negotiations between FIFA and the Reliance-Disney joint venture for the broadcasting rights of the 2026 World Cup have been stalled for a long time. FIFA initially demanded about $100 million for the rights to the 2026 and 2030 World Cups for the Indian market. The price was later reduced to about $60 million, but the Reliance-Disney alliance’s offer was only $20 million.
Sony, another major Indian broadcaster, had held talks with FIFA, but they ultimately did not make any proposals. Meanwhile, Zee Entertainment from the neighboring country has said that it is in new talks with FIFA. The company made the announcement as part of the launch of its new sports channel portfolio, ‘Unit 8 Sports’.
The uncertainty in India and Bangladesh over the World Cup broadcast has also raised questions about FIFA’s commercial strategy in major Asian markets. This is because despite the huge audience in South Asia, broadcasters are losing interest in buying the rights due to the high price.
FIFA has reportedly softened its position somewhat in the end. Recently, the world football’s parent body finalized the broadcasting agreement for the 2026 and 2030 boys’ World Cup and the 2027 and 2031 women’s World Cup with China Media Group, the state-owned broadcaster. Similarly, a solution is being sought through price coordination in the case of India and Bangladesh.
This gives some hope for broadcasting. The Singapore Springboks’ high and inflexible asking price has been removed. On the other hand, Bangladesh and India are now trying to buy the broadcasting rights directly from FIFA in the same way, and the hope of watching the World Cup on domestic channels at home is also increasing due to the possibility of a comparative reduction in broadcasting prices under FIFA’s global policy.