VTV Negotiates to Acquire Broadcasting Rights for the 2026 World Cup in Vietnam

As reported by the VTV Sports fanpage, Vietnam Television (VTV) is currently engaged in negotiations to obtain the broadcasting rights for the 2026 World Cup in Vietnam.

VTV Strives to Negotiate the Purchase of 2026 World Cup Broadcasting Rights in Vietnam

If this deal is successful, Vietnam Television will likely continue to be the broadcaster bringing the world's biggest football festival to audiences nationwide. This would be welcome news for domestic football fans.

The specific fee for the deal has not been officially announced yet. However, previously, the television broadcasting rights package for the 2026 World Cup in Vietnam was offered at nearly $15 million USD, excluding taxes and additional technical costs. According to some sources, the total actual amount the broadcaster might have to pay could reach approximately $17 million USD.

The significantly increased price, in the context of a domestic advertising market still facing many difficulties, has made the negotiation process complex and prolonged. This is seen as a considerable challenge for television stations and media companies when balancing the economic equation.

Nevertheless, if VTV completes the rights purchase, Vietnamese football fans will continue to enjoy full World Cup coverage on free-to-air television, maintaining a tradition of over 40 years where Vietnam has not missed any World Cup. This promises to bring great joy to the vast audience of football fans across the country in the summer of 2026.

The 2026 World Cup will mark a major milestone as the first edition to feature 48 teams, 16 more than in recent tournaments. The teams will be divided into 12 groups, each containing 4 teams. After the group stage, the top two teams from each group, along with the 8 best third-placed teams, will advance to the round of 32. From this stage, the tournament proceeds through knockout rounds until the final.

With the new format, the total number of matches at the 2026 World Cup will increase to 104. This includes 72 group stage matches, 16 round of 32 matches, 8 round of 16 matches, 4 quarter-finals, 2 semi-finals, along with the third-place match and the final. The tournament duration will be 39 days, 10 days longer than the 2022 World Cup and significantly longer than the 2014 and 2018 editions (both lasting 32 days).

According to the provisional schedule, the group stage runs from June 11 to June 27, 2026. The round of 32 is scheduled from June 28 to July 3, and the round of 16 from July 4 to July 7. The quarter-finals will take place on July 9–11, and the semi-finals on July 14 and 15. The third-place match is set for July 18, and the final will be held on July 19, 2026.