KATHMANDU: With less than a month remaining before the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, broadcast rights in several Asian countries are still unresolved, leaving millions of football fans uncertain about how they will watch the tournament.

Countries such as China, India and Thailand have yet to finalize television and digital broadcasting agreements, raising concerns among supporters over whether matches will be easily accessible.

The tournament, jointly hosted by United States, Canada and Mexico, is scheduled to kick off on June 11 with the opening match between Mexico and South Africa. However, time zone differences have emerged as a major challenge for Asian viewers.

Fans in cities such as Beijing and Shanghai are expected to watch the opening match and final at around 3:00 a.m., while many key fixtures in New Delhi will begin at approximately 12:30 a.m. Analysts say even matches scheduled for early morning hours may struggle to attract mass audiences.

According to Sandeep Goyal, chairman of Rediffusion, the late-night match timings could significantly reduce television viewership and advertising revenue.

“Only hardcore fans are likely to stay awake for matches that begin after midnight or early in the morning,” he said.

A major gap has also emerged over the value of broadcasting rights. FIFA is reportedly seeking nearly $100 million for the 2026 and 2030 World Cups combined, while JioStar is said to have offered only around $20 million. Sony reportedly did not submit a bid, indicating that any eventual agreement may fall far below FIFA’s expectations.

In China, no agreement has yet been finalized, although state broadcaster CCTV is believed to hold exclusive authority to acquire the rights. Previous World Cup broadcasting deals in the country had typically been completed much earlier. During the 2022 World Cup, China accounted for nearly half of the global digital viewing time, making the current delay particularly notable.

The situation remains uncertain in Thailand as well. After the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission removed the World Cup from the country’s mandatory free-to-air broadcast list, there is no guarantee that matches will be available without subscription fees. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, however, has assured citizens that they will not be deprived of watching the tournament.

Meanwhile, Malaysia has secured broadcast arrangements through Radio Televisyen Malaysia and Unifi TV, although reports suggest negotiations there were also prolonged.

Impact on Nepali Supporters

The ongoing uncertainty is also expected to affect football fans in Nepal. International sporting events in Nepal are commonly viewed through Indian or other foreign television channels. If broadcasting rights in India are delayed or restricted to limited platforms, Nepali audiences could face difficulties accessing the matches.

Additionally, late-night and early-morning kick-off times are likely to create challenges for viewers in Nepal. Students, office workers and regular viewers may find it difficult to stay awake throughout the night, potentially affecting overall viewership.

Confidence That Deals Will Be Reached

Despite the delays, experts believe broadcasting agreements will eventually be finalized across all markets.

James Walton of Deloitte said such last-minute negotiations are common and that it is difficult to imagine countries not airing the World Cup.

FIFA has also stated that broadcasting agreements have already been completed in more than 175 countries, while discussions continue in the remaining markets.

As the countdown to the tournament continues, fans worldwide are still expected to gain access to the matches. However, the delays in Asia and inconvenient match timings suggest that Nepali supporters may need extra patience and dedication to follow the 2026 FIFA World Cup live.