North America, Central America, and Caribbean World Cup: JTBC and KBS to Co-broadcast; MBC and SBS to Miss Out as Final Negotiations Fail

*This content was translated by AI.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America, Central America, and the Caribbean will be broadcast exclusively on JTBC and KBS. Meanwhile, broadcasts on MBC and SBS have been ultimately cancelled.

According to JTBC on the 22nd, the final outcome of re-broadcast rights negotiations with the three terrestrial broadcasters (KBS, MBC, and SBS) resulted in only KBS reaching an agreement with JTBC, while negotiations between MBC and SBS failed.

Earlier, JTBC, which secured the broadcast rights for the North America, Central America, and Caribbean World Cup for $125 million (approximately 184.7 billion won), proposed a structure in which the Jungang Group would bear half the cost and the remaining three terrestrial broadcasters would each cover 16.7%, but the negotiations collapsed.

After repeated negotiations, JTBC finally proposed purchasing the broadcast rights for 14 billion won each to the three broadcasters. KBS reached an agreement on the 20th, one day before the final deadline, but MBC and SBS ultimately did not accept the proposal.

JTBC stated, "We feel responsible for the growing concerns over the prolonged negotiations for the World Cup broadcast rights, which have become a matter of national interest following the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, and we promise to prepare thoroughly and deliver a solid broadcast."

KBS, the only confirmed partner that reached an agreement with JTBC, stated, "Although a significant deficit is expected, we accepted JTBC's final offer to fulfill our public broadcasting duties." Commentator Lee Young-pyo and broadcaster Jeon Hyun-moo will join the World Cup broadcast team.

Meanwhile, the North America, Central America, and Caribbean World Cup, expanded from 32 to 48 teams, will open on June 11 and be held in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

South Korea, led by coach Hong Myung-bo, is in Group A and will face the Czech Republic at 11 a.m. (Korean time) on the 12th, Mexico at 10 a.m. on the 19th, and South Africa at 10 a.m. on the 25th in sequence.

In this World Cup, the top two teams from each group, along with the top eight third-placed teams based on performance among the 12th groups, will advance to the Round of 32 to determine the champion. All three of South Korea's group stage matches will be held in Mexico.

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*This content was translated by AI.