World Cup broadcast rights race reopens

Springbok Pte Ltd, the Singapore-based company which secured Bangladesh’s media rights for the FIFA World Cup 2026, has surrendered the deal, paving the way for broadcasters to renegotiate directly with FIFA at a lower cost.

“Yes, that’s true. I surrendered the rights as I couldn’t sell them in Bangladesh,” Springbok CEO Gopal Padia told The Daily Star on Monday, referring to the USD 7.211 million deal (around Tk 88 crore) finalised in March.

Documents seen by The Daily Star show the cancellation also followed Springbok’s failure to meet payment deadlines on at least three occasions -- 30 percent of the fee was due within 20 days of signing, followed by 30 percent by April 10, 20 percent by May 10, and the final 20 percent by May 31.

Sources said the deal was cancelled last week after the first three instalments were missed.

Earlier, The Daily Star reported that the company had demanded USD 12.30 million (approximately Tk 150.98 crore), excluding applicable taxes, advance income tax, and VAT, from BTV. Springbok’s package included television, radio, mobile, and internet rights.

With the deal terminated, Bangladeshi broadcasters T Sports and Star News, in a joint venture, and a Dubai-based company have emerged as potential buyers directly from FIFA.
According to officials familiar with the matter, following discussions and market analysis, FIFA has agreed to lower its asking price for Bangladesh and is currently in talks with both parties to finalise a deal.

“FIFA’s initial demand was USD 7 million, but they are now looking for at least USD 5 million plus. We believe it should be USD 2–3 million, given price drops in India and China,” an official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told The Daily Star, adding that profitability remains uncertain even at that level, making a free feed to BTV unlikely.

“If BTV agrees to pay after we secure the deal, we will provide the feed. But we can’t offer it for free,” the official said, adding BTV is not in direct talks with FIFA. “It is like an open tender -- whoever pays the most will get it.

“The government also contacted FIFA seeking the rights free of charge, citing the presence of a state broadcaster (BTV), but FIFA refused, arguing it already provides millions of dollars annually to the local football federation through revenues from these rights and therefore cannot offer them for free,” the official further informed, expressing hope for a positive outcome in the coming days.

When contacted, BTV director general Mahbubul Alam refused to disclose details. “I don’t have any information yet, so I can’t provide any. I hope it can be shared within one or two days,” he told The Daily Star.

Alongside Bangladesh, millions of football fans in India and China also faced uncertainty over World Cup access due to unresolved broadcast rights negotiations. However, FIFA has recently confirmed broadcast agreements with China Media Group (CMG) for the 2026 and 2030 World Cups, as well as the 2027 and 2031 Women’s World Cups.

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In India, meanwhile, negotiations for the 2026 rights are also understood to be nearing completion.

The 2026 World Cup begins on June 12, with 104 matches scheduled and the final on July 20.