FIFA has announced that it has reached agreement with China Media Group (CMG) for the broadcast in mainland China of all matches at the FIFA World Cup 2026 and 2030 as well as the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 and 2031.
“It’s a real pleasure that we have found an agreement with CMG,” said FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafström. “The Chinese market is of very big importance to the global football community. We know the passion of Chinese football fans, and we’re very happy and proud of our partnership with CMG to bring the FIFA World Cup to all fans in China.”
The agreement extends the long-standing partnership between FIFA and CMG and strengthens the planned coverage of the historic first 48-team tournament in the country. It also marks an important step in FIFA’s efforts to connect the competition with younger audiences through digital coverage.
“CMG have been a strong partner for the last 50 years and having them on board for the next two editions of the FIFA World Cup and the FIFA Women’s World Cup will really enhance the way the tournament will be broadcast,” Mr Grafström added.
The broadcast of the most inclusive FIFA World Cup ever across the world’s second-biggest country by population will give further impetus to the Chinese Football Association’s (CFA) plans to drive youth development and national performance.
They will also be boosted by both the men’s and women’s U-17 teams having qualified for their age-category FIFA World Cup tournaments this year, while FIFA Chief Football Officer Jill Ellis and FIFA Chief of Global Football Development Arsène Wenger have both visited China within the last two weeks to support collaboration with the CFA and the national government.
Broadcast rights for the upcoming tournament alone cost $60 million, according to China’s state-backed outlet The Paper.
China has the world’s largest soccer fan base with roughly 200 million people following the game as stated by Reuters.
No agreement signed in India as yet
FIFA media rights officials are visiting India this week, three sources said, ahead of next month’s World Cup for which soccer’s ruling body has not struck a broadcast deal with India due to differences over pricing as reported by Reuters on 18 May.
Millions of soccer fans in India risk not being able to watch the tournament due to a deadlock over broadcast rights.
Discussions between the Reliance-Disney joint venture, India’s biggest media company and FIFA have not materialised, and Sony, another big player, has refrained from bidding, Reuters has previously reported.
Reliance-Disney joint venture offered US$20 million for the FIFA rights. That led to a disagreement because FIFA had initially sought $100 million but was last looking for around $60 million at least, Reuters has reported.
