The Delhi High Court on Tuesday (May 12, 2026) asked the Centre and Prasar Bharati to respond to a petition seeking the broadcast of the FIFA World Cup 2026, which is scheduled to commence on June 11.

The petition by Avdhesh Bairwa, a lawyer, sought directions to the Central government to acquire the broadcasting rights for the opening match, quarter-finals, semi-finals, and the final in favour of Prasar Bharati as an interim measure. By way of final relief, the petitioner sought that rights should be acquired for all 104 matches.

Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav issued notice on the petition and listed it for hearing on May 20.

During the hearing, the court asked the petitioner why his plea should not be treated as a public interest litigation.

The senior counsel appearing for the petitioner argued that a citizen had the right to have access to such a telecast. While it was not an indefensible or absolute right, a “nudge” from the court would “go a long way”, he added.

The petition said the FIFA World Cup, which is held every four years, is one of the most viewed sporting events in the world, and historically, the event has had a commercial broadcaster in India for each edition since 1998.

However, no broadcaster has acquired the broadcasting rights for the tournament in India this year, depriving the petitioner of his fundamental right to receive information and to access the telecast of the event, the plea asserted.

“...Without timely judicial intervention by this Hon’ble Court, the Petitioner and millions of Indian citizens will be irreparably deprived of their fundamental rights with no adequate alternative remedy,” the petition said.

The FIFA World Cup is being held from June 11 to July 19 in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.