World Cup Broadcast Rights Race Reopens in Bangladesh as Springbok Surrenders Deal

B angladesh’s FIFA World Cup 2026 broadcast picture has reopened. Springbok Pte Ltd, the Singapore-based company that had secured the country’s media rights, has surrendered the deal, clearing the way for broadcasters to renegotiate directly with FIFA at a lower price, The Daily Star reported. The development lands a little over two weeks before the June 11 opener between Mexico and South Africa at Estadio Azteca.

Springbok walks away

"Yes, that’s true. I surrendered the rights as I couldn’t sell them in Bangladesh," Springbok CEO Gopal Padia told The Daily Star, referring to the USD 7.211 million deal (around Tk 88 crore) finalised in March. The company had bought the full package of television, radio, mobile and internet rights and then failed to find a Bangladeshi buyer at its asking price.

Missed instalments triggered the cancellation

Documents seen by The Daily Star show the cancellation followed Springbok’s failure to meet payment deadlines on at least three occasions. The agreed schedule required 30 percent of the fee within 20 days of signing, a further 30 percent by April 10, 20 percent by May 10 and the final 20 percent by May 31. Sources said the deal was cancelled last week after the first three instalments were missed. Springbok had earlier demanded USD 12.30 million (about Tk 150.98 crore) from state broadcaster Bangladesh Television (BTV), excluding applicable taxes, advance income tax and VAT.

New buyers in direct talks with FIFA

With the deal terminated, two parties have emerged as potential buyers directly from FIFA: a joint venture between local broadcasters T Sports and Star News, and a Dubai-based company. Officials familiar with the matter said that, following discussions and market analysis, FIFA has agreed to lower its asking price for Bangladesh and is in talks with both parties to finalise a deal.

The pricing gap

"FIFA’s initial demand was USD 7 million, but they are now looking for at least USD 5 million plus. We believe it should be USD 2 to 3 million, given price drops in India and China," an official said on condition of anonymity. The same official said profitability is uncertain even at that level, which makes a free feed to BTV unlikely. "If BTV agrees to pay after we secure the deal, we will provide the feed. But we can’t offer it for free," the official said, adding that BTV is not in direct talks with FIFA. "It is like an open tender. Whoever pays the most will get it."

Government request rejected

The official said the government also contacted FIFA seeking the rights free of charge, citing the presence of state broadcaster BTV, but FIFA refused. FIFA argued that it already provides millions of dollars annually to the local football federation through revenues from these rights and therefore cannot hand them over for free. BTV director general Mahbubul Alam declined to disclose details when contacted. "I don’t have any information yet, so I can’t provide any. I hope it can be shared within one or two days," he told The Daily Star.

Part of a wider regional squeeze

Bangladesh is not alone. Millions of fans in India and China faced the same uncertainty over World Cup access this cycle. FIFA has since confirmed a broadcast agreement with China Media Group (CMG) covering the 2026 and 2030 World Cups as well as the 2027 and 2031 Women’s World Cups. In India, negotiations for the 2026 rights are understood to be nearing completion. The 2026 World Cup runs from June 11 to July 19, with 104 matches across the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Reporting: The Daily Star, May 26, 2026.