Delhi High Court seeks Prasar Bharti reply on plea to broadcast FIFA World Cup 2026 in India

The Delhi High Court on Tuesday issued notice to the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) and Prasar Bharti on a plea seeking the broadcast of the FIFA World Cup 2026 in India.

Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav said that the case will be heard next week.

However, the Court said that the relief sought in the plea are in the nature of a public interest litigation (PIL).

Senior Advocate Vaibhav Gaggar, appearing for the petitioner, said,

"They are already endeavouring, and the Court's nudge will help."

The plea has been filed by Advocate Avdhesh Bairwa, seeking directions to ensure the broadcast of the FIFA World Cup 2026 in India through public broadcaster Prasar Bharati.

The plea specifically seeks telecast of the opening match, quarter-finals, semi-finals and the final on free-to-air platforms. As a final relief, the petitioner has urged the Court to direct authorities to secure rights for all 104 matches of the tournament.

The FIFA World Cup 2026 will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19, 2026. Bairwa argued that India is among FIFA’s largest viewership markets, citing 745.7 million interactions during the 2022 World Cup.

According to the petition, no broadcaster has yet secured Indian media rights for the tournament. FIFA reportedly reduced its valuation for India’s combined 2026 and 2030 World Cup rights from US$ 100 million to US$ 35 million after limited market interest. A reported US$ 20 million bid by JioStar was allegedly rejected.

The petitioner contended that failure to ensure telecast would deprive Indian citizens of their fundamental right to receive information and access sporting events of national importance. The plea stresses urgency as the tournament begins on June 11.

The plea has been filed through Advocate Ankit Konwar of Hammurabi & Solomon Partners.