Overview

• The government confirmed Televisión Pública will not buy FIFA World Cup 2026 broadcast rights for the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
• The announcement ends a continuous presence that began with Argentina 1974, after 1970 coverage came via a private channel.
• Officials said the choice is economic rather than political and noted the decision could be reconsidered before a December deadline.
• The move follows cutbacks at Radio y Televisión Argentina and a 2024 failed deal that kept an Argentina–Chile qualifier off the public airwaves.
• In Qatar 2022 the state spent about US$10 million and booked roughly US$12 million in ad revenue, with around 20% from provincial and public advertisers.