South Korea’s 2026 World Cup broadcast crisis ends: All matches to air live
South Korea’s national team will have every 2026 FIFA World Cup match broadcast live in the country after the Korea Football Association (KFA) secured confirmation from FIFA on June 23. The assurance covers all games, including the knockout stages, just as South Korea sits third in Group C with one win and two losses (3 points) from three games.
KFA officials said KFA President Chung Mong-gyu spoke directly with FIFA Secretary General Mathias Grafström on the evening of June 22 to check the domestic broadcast status. FIFA responded the next afternoon that the local rights holder would air every match as scheduled. A KFA spokesperson said, "Thanks to the chairman’s swift action, the broadcast scare is over. Every match, including the knockout games, will air normally."
How the broadcast scare started
The scare began when Japan’s TBS reported that Korean broadcaster JTBC, holder of World Cup rights, had filed for corporate rehabilitation and missed some royalty payments to FIFA. TBS warned that unless payments were made by June 29, broadcasts after the Round of 16 could be blocked. The KFA immediately denied the report.
A KFA official said, "Japanese media reports misled fans about Korea’s broadcast rights. We received official confirmation from FIFA that every match will air as planned." South Korea has one win, one loss and one draw so far and has gone unbeaten in its last two games, keeping a clean sheet in both.
Where South Korea stands in the 2026 World Cup
South Korea currently sits third in its group with three points. The team needs the final group game to stay in contention for the top two. South Korea last played Jordan on March 25 2025, drawing 1-1. In the last two games, South Korea has gone unbeaten (1W-1D).
The Taegeuk Warriors have scored two goals and conceded three, a goal difference of minus one. They trail group leaders Mexico by six points and must win their last group match to have a realistic chance of advancing. With the broadcast crisis resolved, fans can now watch the knockout stages without worry.
Next steps for the KFA and the team
The KFA says it will strengthen communication with FIFA to prevent similar issues. A spokesperson said, "We will keep working so fans can enjoy every World Cup moment without disruption." South Korea now turns its focus to fine-tuning for the final group game and preparing for the possible Round of 16 clash.
