LONDON (Kashmir English): China’s state broadcaster CCTV has secured the rights to air this year’s FIFA World Cup and also in 2030, ending an agonising wait for fans in the football-mad country.
The tournament kicks off on June 11, 2026, in Mexico City and concludes on July 19, 2026, in New Jersey, USA.
Hundreds of millions of Chinese fans were wondering how they could watch matches before the unusually late deal was finally announced on Friday.
The biggest-ever World Cup is being co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, and begins with South Africa facing off Mexico.
“The partnership covers the 2026 World Cup, the 2030 World Cup, the 2027 Women’s World Cup and the 2031 Women’s World Cup,” CCTV said.
The agreement between FIFA and CCTV’s parent company, China Media Group (CMG), includes broadcast rights for TV, internet and mobile, it said.
FIFA World Cup 2026
This year’s – the 23rd – tournament will see 48 teams and 104 matches and interest is particularly intense in China, the second most populous nation with around 1.4 billion people.
Though China is not playing in this tournament but accounted for 49.8 percent of all hours of viewing on digital and social platforms globally during the Qatar 2022 World Cup, according to FIFA.
The broadcaster did not detail how much the deal was worth nor why it was delayed.
However, Chinese media outlet The Paper said the deal was valued at $60 million, citing people familiar with the matter.
According to FIFA, it has already sealed agreements with broadcasters in more than 175 countries.
FIFA is expected to make a record $11 billion revenue from the 2026 World Cup.
For fans in Shanghai and Beijing, the opening match will start at 3:00 am, as will the final.
