Bangladesh Government Purchases FIFA World Cup 2026 TV Rights for Tk 72.70 Crore

Bangladesh’s cabinet committee has approved the government’s purchase of television broadcasting rights for the FIFA World Cup 2026 at Tk 72.70 crore, securing exclusive coverage through state-owned BTV.

The 2026 World Cup broadcasting deal represents a substantial decrease of Tk 25.30 crore compared to the previous tournament four years ago, when the government paid Tk 98 crore. The 26% reduction comes despite the tournament expanding from 32 to 48 participating countries.

The Cabinet Committee on Government Purchase approved the direct acquisition by BTV, eliminating private intermediaries used in previous deals. The earlier broadcast arrangement involved Toma Construction, an Awami League-linked business group.

Tournament Details and Timeline

The FIFA World Cup 2026 will take place from June 11 to July 19, 2026, hosted jointly by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. This marks the first World Cup to be held across three nations simultaneously.

The expanded tournament format will feature 48 countries, representing a significant increase from the traditional 32-team structure used in previous World Cups.

Resolving Broadcasting Uncertainty

The government’s direct purchase resolves uncertainty created by a failed deal between FIFA and a Singapore-based company. The breakdown of that agreement had left Bangladesh’s World Cup broadcasting rights in question.

BTV will hold exclusive telecast rights for the tournament, ensuring domestic viewers have access to all matches without relying on private broadcasting partnerships or international distributors.

The lower cost achieved through direct negotiation suggests the government’s approach may have provided better use in securing favorable terms with FIFA for the expanded tournament format.

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