Govt Slashes FIFA World Cup Broadcast Cost: Swapon

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon spoke at a press conference held at the PID today.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon on Sunday alleged widespread irregularities in Bangladesh's acquisition of the broadcasting rights for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, claiming the previous government spent Tk 98 crore on the rights through intermediaries, with total related transactions reaching around Tk 140 crore.

Speaking at a press conference at the Press Information Department, the minister said the current government acquired the 2026 FIFA World Cup media rights directly from FIFA, recovering almost the entire cost through sub-licensing agreements with local broadcasters.

"The government's actual financial shortfall now stands at only Tk 4-5 crore, and we are working to eliminate even that through ongoing revenue-sharing discussions," Swapon said.

He said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman had instructed the authorities to ensure football fans across Bangladesh could watch the World Cup without placing an excessive financial burden on the state.

Following that directive, the government negotiated directly with FIFA and purchased the media rights for US$3.85 million, bypassing intermediaries.

According to the minister, most of the expenditure has already been recovered by sub-licensing the broadcasting rights to four local companies.

Referring to the 2022 tournament, Swapon alleged that a Singapore-based company initially acquired the FIFA rights before a Bangladeshi company purchased and sold them to Bangladesh Television (BTV) for Tk 98 crore.

He further claimed that satellite broadcasting rights were sold for Tk 22 crore and digital rights for Tk 17 crore, bringing the total value of the transactions to about Tk 140 crore.

"FIFA received only US$3.2 million. The remaining money went to intermediaries," he alleged.

Swapon said the direct purchase model adopted for the 2026 World Cup significantly reduced costs and prevented unnecessary expenditure of public funds.

He added that the government plans to further improve the technological and commercial management of future World Cup broadcasts.

BTV Director General Md Mahbubul Alam said it was the first time the state broadcaster had secured FIFA World Cup broadcasting rights at such a low cost.

He said discussions with sub-license holders over revenue-sharing are continuing and expressed hope that the remaining financial gap would also be recovered.

Mahbubul Alam added that if the commercial value of BTV's airtime is taken into account, the overall project is expected to become profitable.

Asked whether the alleged irregularities in the 2022 broadcasting deal would be investigated, Swapon said legal proceedings are underway and the government would fully cooperate.

The BTV director general said an internal preliminary inquiry has already begun and noted that the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) is also conducting an initial investigation.

Swapon later said a departmental inquiry is underway and that the ministry or BTV would communicate with the ACC if necessary after its completion.

The minister also said the government would discuss with the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) the possibility of bringing Brazil and Argentina to Bangladesh for an international friendly.

He added that the government is working to professionalise sports by identifying young talent, expanding state support and introducing a Sports Card programme to recognise outstanding athletes.