Football fans in Bangladesh, widely recognised for their strong enthusiasm for the sport, are facing uncertainty over whether they will be able to watch the 2026 FIFA World Cup on local platforms.
The 2026 tournament, organised by FIFA, is scheduled to begin on 11 June and will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. This edition will mark the 23rd FIFA World Cup and will feature an expanded format of 48 participating teams for the first time in the competition’s history.
In Bangladesh, however, uncertainty has emerged regarding broadcast arrangements. The state-owned broadcaster Bangladesh Television has not yet secured the broadcasting rights for the tournament. At the same time, no private television channel or over-the-top (OTT) digital platform in the country has confirmed the purchase of rights either.
Under FIFA regulations, live transmission of matches from foreign broadcasters is not permitted without proper licensing. This means that unless a local organisation acquires the official rights, audiences in Bangladesh may face difficulties accessing live coverage of the tournament.
According to available information, the broadcasting rights for Bangladesh have been awarded to a Singapore-based company, Springbok Pte Ltd. Any Bangladeshi organisation intending to broadcast the matches must therefore obtain sublicensing rights from this company.
Historically, Bangladesh Television has aired FIFA World Cup matches for local audiences. However, the current situation has been complicated by the high cost of broadcasting rights. A source within BTV has indicated that Springbok Pte Ltd has quoted approximately 151 crore Bangladeshi taka for the rights package. Including taxes and associated expenses, the total cost is estimated to reach around 200 crore taka.
Under the proposed payment structure, half of the total amount is required to be paid by 10 May, with the remaining balance due by 10 June. The package includes live coverage of 104 matches, including the opening and closing ceremonies, along with highlight packages.
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Bangladesh has reportedly advised BTV to engage directly with FIFA in order to explore the possibility of securing free-to-air broadcasting rights. As part of this effort, BTV sent two emails to FIFA in late April; however, no response has been received to date.
As discussions remain unresolved, uncertainty continues regarding whether Bangladeshi viewers will have access to live coverage of the tournament through domestic broadcasters.
Broadcasting Rights Overview
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Tournament | 2026 FIFA World Cup |
| Organiser | FIFA |
| Host countries | United States, Canada, Mexico |
| Matches included | 104 (including opening & closing ceremonies) |
| Rights holder for Bangladesh | Springbok Pte Ltd |
| Estimated rights fee | ~151 crore BDT |
| Total estimated cost | ~200 crore BDT (including taxes/expenses) |
| Payment schedule | 50% by 10 May; remainder by 10 June |
| Current status | No confirmed broadcaster in Bangladesh |