Judges accept petition arguing that watching football is a ‘fundamental right’
PUBLISHED : 13 May 2026 at 16:51
NEW DELHI – A standoff over World Cup broadcasting rights in India has ended up in the courts, with fans fearing they won’t be able to watch football’s biggest party when it begins in under a month.
The Delhi High Court on Tuesday issued a notice to the Indian government and the public broadcaster Prasar Bharti to respond to a petition filed by a lawyer pleading for live coverage.
Fifa, the world governing body for the sport, had sought about $100 million from Indian broadcasters wanting to show the 2026 and 2030 World Cups, but so far the best offer — only $20 million — has come from JioStar, according to local reports.
Thailand and China are also yet to strike a deal to show the finals when they kick off on June 11, leaving swathes of Asia potentially facing a blackout.
The Thai cabinet this week authorised two state agencies to pursue the broadcast rights, without specifying whether taxpayers or sponsors will end up footing the estimated 1.3-billion-baht bill.
The petition filed to the Delhi court argued that the absence of a broadcast arrangement deprived Indian citizens of their “fundamental right to receive information”.
“India stands as one of the few major markets without a broadcaster,” it said, noting that no viewing deal had been sealed despite the World Cup being designated a “sporting event of national importance”.
“Without timely judicial intervention… the petitioner and millions of Indian citizens will be irreparably deprived of their fundamental rights with no adequate alternative remedy,” says the petition, seen by AFP.
The next hearing is scheduled for May 20.
The World Cup is being co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Broadcasters in Asia have been cautious about bidding for rights, citing concerns that late-night kickoff times in the region could dent viewership and advertising revenues.
India, the world’s most populous nation with 1.4 billion people, are not playing at the World Cup.