China Central Television (CCTV) has secured the rights to air the World Cup this year and in 2030, the broadcaster and Fifa said on Friday.

With kick-off less than a month away, hundreds of millions of Chinese fans were left wondering how they could watch matches before the unusually late deal was finally announced.

The showpiece event, to be the biggest-ever World Cup, is being co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, and begins on June 11 when South Africa faces off Mexico.

"The partnership covers the 2026 World Cup, the 2030 World Cup, the 2027 Women's World Cup and the 2031 Women's World Cup," CCTV said.

The agreement between Fifa and CCTV's parent company, China Media Group, includes broadcast rights for TV, internet and mobile, it said.

China is not playing this summer but accounted for 49.8 percent of all hours of viewing on digital and social platforms globally during the Qatar 2022 World Cup, according to Fifa.

"The Chinese market is of very big importance to the global football community," Fifa Secretary General Mattias Grafstrom said, according to a statement from the football authority.

The deal "marks an important step in Fifa's efforts to connect the competition with younger audiences through digital coverage", the statement added. (AFP)


Edited by Aaron Tam