Former All India Football Federation general secretary Shaji Prabhakaran stated on Saturday that talks over broadcast rights for the FIFA World Cup 2026 in India have concluded. An official announcement is expected shortly, ensuring broad access for viewers across the country.
In a post on X, Prabhakaran noted that negotiations are finished and the broadcasting partner will be revealed next week. He added that fans can now look forward to full coverage of the expanded tournament.
Prabhakaran also founded the Association for Sports Industry Professionals, which functions under the Khel India Sports Foundation. The foundation focuses on grassroots sports development and support for women athletes.
Earlier uncertainty surrounded the event after a petition was filed in the Delhi High Court. The court issued notices to the central government and Prasar Bharati, seeking to mandate free-to-air transmission on platforms such as Doordarshan.
The petition highlighted that no Indian broadcaster had secured rights by that point, despite the tournament dates of June 11 to July 19, 2026. It noted FIFA had lowered the rights value from around 100 million dollars to about 35 million dollars due to limited interest.
The event is classified as one of national importance under the Sports Broadcasting Signals Act, requiring public access through designated channels.
