Canal+ Loses 2026 World Cup Rights

Online interactive TV platform Canal+ has lost the rights to broadcast the 2026 FIFA World Cup in several French-speaking African countries after New World TV secured an exclusive deal with FIFA.

The development marks a significant shift in Africa’s sports broadcasting industry, ending the platform’s long-standing dominance in airing major international football tournaments across the region.

Based in Lomé, Togo, New World TV has continued its rapid rise after successfully broadcasting the 2022 FIFA World Cup and recent Africa Cup of Nations tournaments.

The broadcaster will air all 104 matches of the 2026 World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada.

The tournament will be the largest in FIFA history, featuring 48 teams.

For football fans across Francophone Africa, the deal means New World TV will become the main destination for World Cup coverage.

The loss of the rights is a major setback for Canal+, which has been a leading sports broadcaster in Africa for many years through its coverage of international football competitions.

Industry observers say the agreement highlights the growing influence of African-owned media companies and their ability to compete with established global broadcasters for premium sports rights.

With the countdown to the 2026 FIFA World Cup underway, New World TV has already secured one of the tournament’s biggest victories off the pitch.

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Deborah Akwa

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