The FIFA World Cup 2026 is set to begin on June 11, and while excitement is building globally, fans in India are still figuring out how they’ll be able to watch the matches.
With the tournament just weeks away, there’s still no confirmation from any broadcaster or streaming service in India about who will show the games. This uncertainty is sparking conversations among various media companies.
Reports indicate that FIFA is asking for around ₹100 crore for full media rights in India, with approximately ₹33 crore just for digital streaming rights. Given that many matches will take place during late night or early morning hours in India, this hefty price tag has made potential sponsors hesitant to jump in.
Who Will Show FIFA World Cup 2026 in India?
JioStar showed interest in obtaining the digital streaming rights but submitted an offer reportedly four times less than what FIFA is asking. Unsurprisingly, FIFA turned that offer down.
Similarly, Sony, a major player in Indian sports broadcasting, evaluated the market and determined it was significantly lower than FIFA’s asking price. This huge disparity led Sony to back out of the negotiations. Meanwhile, Doordarshan, India’s public broadcaster, is reportedly considering a bid of around INR 5 crore, but this only covers knockout stage matches, falling well short of FIFA’s expectations.
There are new rumors suggesting that streaming platforms like YouTube Premium and Amazon Prime might step in as contenders for the official streaming rights in India. Both services have robust digital setups and large subscriber bases, making them more appealing to FIFA compared to traditional broadcasters who are limited by ad revenues.
FIFA World Cup 2026 Group Stage Schedule
| Match No. | Group | Fixture | Date (IST) | Time (IST) | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | A | Mexico vs South Africa | Friday, June 12, 2026 | 12:30 AM | Mexico City Stadium, Mexico City |
| 2 | A | South Korea vs Czech Republic | Friday, June 12, 2026 | 07:30 AM | Akron Stadium, Guadalajara |
FIFA World Cup 2026 Knockout Schedule
| Stage | Start Date (IST) | Final Date (IST) | IST Timings (approximately) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Round of 32 | June 28 | July 3 | Primarily 12:30 AM, 3:30 AM, 6:30 AM |
FIFA World Cup 2026 Groups
| Group | Team 1 | Team 2 | Team 3 | Team 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | Mexico | South Africa | Korea Republic | Winner UEFA play-off D |
