FIFA World Cup 2026 Broadcast in India: Delhi High Court Seeks Prasar Bharati Response

With less than a month before the FIFA World Cup 2026 kicks off on June 11 in the United States, Mexico and Canada, no broadcaster in India has secured the media rights to telecast the tournament. The Delhi High Court on May 12, 2026 stepped in, issuing notice to the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) and Prasar Bharati on a public interest plea seeking free-to-air broadcast of the world's largest sporting event for Indian viewers.

Why No Broadcaster Has Secured the Rights

FIFA had initially bundled the India broadcasting rights for the 2026 and 2030 World Cups at approximately USD 100 million. After muted interest from Indian broadcasters, the valuation was reportedly lowered to around USD 35 million. JioStar reportedly submitted a bid of approximately USD 20 million, which was turned down by FIFA. As a result, with the tournament approaching, Indian football fans face the prospect of being unable to watch the World Cup.

The Legal Basis: Sports Broadcasting Signals Act 2007

The plea invokes the Sports Broadcasting Signals (Mandatory Sharing with Prasar Bharati) Act, 2007, which requires content rights owners of sporting events of national importance to share live broadcasting signals with Prasar Bharati. Under this Act, Prasar Bharati (which operates Doordarshan and All India Radio) is entitled to re-transmit such signals on its terrestrial and DTH networks, ensuring free-to-air coverage for the Indian public.

However, the law presupposes that a private broadcaster has acquired the rights in the first place and is then obliged to share the signal with Prasar Bharati. When no broadcaster acquires rights at all, a unique gap arises: the Act does not empower Prasar Bharati to independently negotiate and acquire broadcasting rights from international sporting bodies like FIFA.

What the Petition Seeks

The petition, filed by Advocate Avdhesh Bairwa, seeks directions for the government and Prasar Bharati to ensure that the FIFA World Cup 2026 is broadcast in India through Doordarshan on a free-to-air basis. The petitioner specifically seeks coverage of the opening match, all quarterfinals, semi-finals, and the final. Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav noted that the reliefs sought carry the character of a public interest litigation and listed the matter for hearing next week.

The Question of Right to Access Sporting Events

The case touches on the broader question of whether access to major international sporting events is a matter of public interest that the state must facilitate. India has historically relied on the 2007 Act to ensure access to events such as cricket World Cups and the Olympics. The FIFA World Cup situation exposes a gap in the legal framework: the Act functions as a signal-sharing obligation, not as a mandate for the state to acquire broadcasting rights when the market fails to do so.

The court reportedly explored whether FanCode or other digital platforms might step in. Whether Prasar Bharati can or should directly negotiate with FIFA for the rights remains an unresolved legal and policy question.

Key Takeaways

This case highlights the limitations of India's sports broadcasting legislation when no private entity acquires rights to a major international event. The Delhi High Court's hearing next week will be significant for Indian sports law. If the court directs Prasar Bharati to negotiate directly with FIFA, it could set a precedent for state intervention in broadcasting rights. For sports industry stakeholders, broadcasters and fans, the outcome will determine whether India watches the World Cup at all, and may prompt legislative reform to address gaps in the 2007 Act.