Local Chinese media have reported that the China Media Group (CMG), the central state-owned television company, has acquired the broadcasting rights for the FIFA World Cup. This agreement was finalized less than a month before the start of the 2026 World Cup finals.
The Yangtze Evening Post, published in Nanjing, reported that the deal was made between FIFA and China’s state media, but details regarding the financial value of the contract or its duration including the potential coverage of the 2030 World Cup have not been disclosed.
According to Reuters, in previous World Cup editions, including the 2018 Russia tournament and the 2022 Qatar tournament, China’s state broadcaster CCTV had received broadcasting rights well before the competitions began and launched special programs and campaigns related to the World Cup weeks in advance.
Despite these reports, CCTV has not responded to media requests for an official comment. FIFA had previously announced that it had finalized World Cup broadcasting contracts in over 175 countries and regions, but negotiations with China and India were still ongoing.
Meanwhile, the presence of Matthias Grafström, FIFA Secretary General, in Beijing and his meeting with Song Kai, President of the Chinese Football Association, fueled speculation about an imminent agreement between the two parties.
Reports indicate that CCTV has also asked the internet platform Migu, owned by China Mobile, to cooperate in streaming the 2026 World Cup online. However, a source familiar with the matter said that financial details and the exact terms of the agreement have not yet been finalized, and Migu has not responded so far.
In previous editions, part of the digital broadcasting rights in China had also been assigned to online platforms. During the 2018 World Cup, CCTV outsourced some online streaming to Migu and Youku, and in the 2022 Qatar World Cup, streaming was done via Douyin and several domestic networks.
The 2026 World Cup is set to be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico and will be the first edition featuring 48 teams.
Writer:Salima Aryaei
