China’s state broadcaster has finally secured the rights to air the FIFA World Cup 2026, ending a prolonged standoff just 27 days before the tournament kicks off. 

China Media Group, the parent company of CCTV, agreed a deal with FIFA on Friday for a reported US$60 million, a fraction of the US$300 million FIFA had originally demanded and well below the reduced asking price of US$120 million to US$150 million that had been reported in recent weeks.

The agreement covers not just the 2026 men’s World Cup but three additional tournaments: the 2030 men’s World Cup and the 2027 and 2031 Women’s World Cups. CMG secured exclusive broadcast rights across free-to-air television, pay TV, online streaming and mobile platforms in mainland China through to 2031.

[See more: Shenzhen to host Billie Jean King Cup Finals for second straight year alongside return of WTCC]

The news broke quickly. Within 45 minutes of the announcement, the story had generated over 27 million views on the Chinese social media platform Weibo, reflecting the pent-up anxiety of an estimated 200 million football fans who had faced the prospect of a complete World Cup blackout.

FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafström welcomed the agreement, saying the Chinese market is “of very big importance to the global football community” and that FIFA is “very happy and proud” of the partnership with CMG. The deal was described as part of FIFA’s broader effort to sustain engagement with Chinese fans through the decade.

India remains the notable exception, as a broadcast deal for the world’s second most populous nation has still not been finalised ahead of the 11 June opener.