China’s state broadcaster, China Central Television, has secured the broadcasting rights for the 2026 and 2030 FIFA World Cups, ending weeks of uncertainty for football fans across the country.
The announcement was made on Friday by CCTV, which confirmed that the agreement also includes rights to the 2027 and 2031 FIFA Women’s World Cups.
According to the broadcaster, the deal was signed between FIFA and China Media Group, CCTV’s parent company, covering television, internet, and mobile broadcasting rights.
The financial details of the agreement were not officially disclosed. However, Chinese media outlet The Paper reported that the deal was worth approximately $60 million, citing sources familiar with the negotiations.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup, which is set to be the largest edition in the tournament’s history, will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
The competition is scheduled to begin on June 11 with an opening match between Mexico and South Africa.
The delayed announcement of the broadcasting agreement had sparked concern among millions of football fans in China, where the sport enjoys enormous popularity.
Reports also indicated that China Media Group is expected to unveil further details regarding tournament coverage and distribution plans during a launch event scheduled for Sunday.
Due to time zone differences, several key matches — including the opening game and the final — are expected to air at 3:00 a.m. local time in major Chinese cities such as Beijing and Shanghai.
