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New Delhi: FIFA has reportedly rejected a $20 million offer from Reliance-Disney joint venture for the FIFA World Cup broadcast rights in India. The world football body has deemed the offer quite low compared to their initial ask. The stalled deal means India, the world’s most populous nation, currently doesn’t have an official broadcaster for the showpiece event.

The FIFA World Cup 2026 is set to get underway on June 11 and will conclude on July 19. One of the biggest sporting events across the globe, the World Cup, which is set to take place in the US, Canada and Mexico, will feature the best 48 teams in the world. There will be a total of 104 matches in the tournament, including the final.

However, Indian fans are at risk of missing out on the football action as FIFA is yet to finalise a deal with an Indian broadcaster for the media rights. As per a report in Reuters, FIFA turned down the $20 million offer from the Reliance-Disney venture. Sony also held talks with FIFA for the telecast rights, but decided not to make an offer.

FIFA initially sought $100 million for the media rights of the FIFA World Cup 2026 and 2020 combined. However, the world football body has failed to attract a buyer. Reliance and Disney’s joint venture, which currently dominates the sporting media and streaming landscape in the country, has refrained from matching FIFA’s demands.

The Reliance venture, led by Mukesh Ambani, holds great negotiating power due to the lack of competition in India. Reliance believes FIFA’s $100 million ask is exorbitant, considering the World Cup will take place in the US, Canada and Mexico, which means most matches will air past midnight in the country.

As per Reuters, FIFA had significantly lowered its ask from the initial $100 million demand, however, the world football body is not willing to accept a deal as low as $20 million. Reliance’s Viacom18 paid about $60 million for the media rights of the FIFA World Cup in 2022, and FIFA is expecting a fee in a similar range for the upcoming edition.