The 23rd edition of football’s most prestigious tournament gets underway on June 11 and runs until July 19. It has been expanded to 48 teams for the first time ever — and will consist of 104 games. Watch the biggest Aussie sports & the best from overseas LIVE on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1. But the 1.5 billion population in India are facing the very real possibility of having no official way of viewing
the spectacle. According to Reuters, India’s biggest media company, a joint-venture between Reliance and Disney, had been approached over a potential deal. However, talks broke down due to the disparity in valuation of the broadcast rights, with Reliance-Disney considering around $20 million (A$28 million) compared to Fifa’s $100m (A$140m) asking price. Meanwhile, Sony refused negotiations with FIFA at all — with football’s governing body now in a very real dilemma as to whether India will broadcast the competition at all. China appeared to be suffering
a similar fate, before FIFA struck a deal after reducing their asking price from $300m (A$420m) to $60m (A$84m). According to a 2024 report from Deloitte and Google, 85 million Indians are fans of football — while they made up 2.9 per cent of the TV audience at the last World Cup in Qatar. Fifa has already been heavily criticised for the incredibly inflated ticket prices. Spain are favourites to lift the trophy ahead of France, England, Brazil, Argentina and Portugal. Australia’s first game takes
place against Turkiye on June 14, before they face hosts USA on June 20 and Paraguay on June 26. The Socceroos’ 26-man squad is set to be announced on June 1.
World Cup blackout risk, India broadcast rights, Reliance Disney, FIFA asking price, 1.5 billion viewers, Spain favourites, Australia schedule, Socceroos squad June 1