STORY: With the World Cup just weeks away, millions of soccer fans in the world's two most populous nations may not be able to watch the games.
The reason?
A deadlock over broadcast rights in India and no official decision in China.
In India, a Reliance-Disney joint venture has offered $20 million for 2026 World Cup broadcast rights, a fraction of FIFA's ask, which was not acceptable to soccer's global governing body.
That's according to two sources who spoke to Reuters Monday.
There has also been no deal announcement for China, which FIFA says accounted for almost 50% of all hours of viewing on digital and social platforms globally during the 2022 World Cup.
A spokesperson for FIFA said broadcasting rights for both nations are ongoing and must remain confidential.
The 2026 World Cup kicks off on June 11, leaving barely five weeks for a deal to be finalized, broadcast infrastructure to be set up and advertising inventory to be sold.
So far, the sports governing body said it has reached agreements with broadcasters in over 175 territories globally.
