China Secures World Cup Broadcasting Deal with FIFA

China Media Group, state broadcaster's parent, announces a broadcasting agreement with FIFA for upcoming men's and women's World Cups. The 2026 and 2030 men's tournaments, along with the 2027 and 2031 women's tournaments, will be covered. The deal highlights China's expanding influence in global sports media.

China Media Group, the parent company of China's state broadcaster CCTV, has announced a breakthrough broadcasting agreement with FIFA. This deal ends a tense standoff over television rights just weeks before the men's World Cup begins in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada.

The comprehensive package includes broadcast rights for the 2026 and 2030 men's tournaments, as well as the 2027 and 2031 Women's World Cups, according to the state broadcaster. Despite China's massive soccer fan base, its men's team has only qualified once for the World Cup.

FIFA confirmed the agreement, emphasizing China's growing importance in global football. The broadcasting rights alone for the upcoming tournament are reported to have cost $60 million, attracting significant attention on social media with millions of views in minutes.