Jio Hotstar remains firm on its US$20 million valuation, while FIFA is expected to finalise a deal around US$35 million; an official announcement is anticipated next week.
FIFA, the governing body of world football, is nearing the conclusion of its search for an Indian broadcast partner for the upcoming World Cup, putting an end to ongoing speculation regarding the telecast of this major sporting event in the country.
According to sources cited by The Indian Express, FIFA has recently met with representatives from two Indian broadcasters: Jio Hotstar, which previously handled the 2022 World Cup broadcast, and Zee Network, which is making a return to sports broadcasting. While Jio has remained steadfast at its US$20 million valuation, Zee, a late contender, has emerged as a strong player in the bidding after competitors Sony and FanCode decided not to participate.
Initially, FIFA had sought nearly US$100 million for combined broadcasting rights to the 2026 and 2030 World Cups. However, due to weak market demand, price expectations have been revised down to around US$35 million. The final agreement is set to cover the men’s World Cups of 2026 and 2030.
An official announcement confirming the deal is expected next week once the contract is signed.
India is the last major market where FIFA has yet to secure broadcasting rights. Recently, the governing body finalised an agreement with CCTV to broadcast its flagship event in mainland China, covering the 2026 and 2030 men’s World Cups as well as the 2027 and 2031 Women’s World Cups.
One challenge for India has been the scheduling of matches. Out of the 104 matches planned across the USA, Canada, and Mexico, nearly 90 per cent will take place between midnight and 6 AM IST, a challenging time slot for advertisers, particularly since India will not have a participating team in the tournament.
The 2022 World Cup in Qatar, won by Lionel Messi’s Argentina, reportedly cost approximately US$60 million. Industry estimates suggest that broadcasters have struggled to recoup even half of that investment through advertising revenues, leading FIFA to realise that its initial pricing was commercially unviable for major players this time around.
