The Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) has secured the exclusive terrestrial (free-to-air) broadcast rights for the FIFA World Cup 2026, paving the way for millions of Ghanaians to watch the tournament at no cost.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, GBC announced that the rights acquisition was made possible through the support of the Government of Ghana as part of efforts to ensure nationwide access to the world’s biggest football competition.
According to the state broadcaster, a National Broadcast Consortium has been established to coordinate the transmission of World Cup matches across the country. The initiative, formed at the request of the government, is expected to leverage a shared technical, marketing, and broadcasting framework to maximize national coverage.
The consortium brings together several television stations licensed by FIFA through New World TV and GBC to air the tournament. Participating broadcasters include GTV, GTV Sports+, Garden City TV, Obonu TV, Adom TV, Joy Prime, GHOne TV, Agoo TV, Metro TV, Original TV, TV3, Onua TV, Max TV, Sporty TV, Woezor TV, and UTV.
GBC said the arrangement is intended to ensure that all Ghanaians have access to the tournament and can follow the progress of the Black Stars and other participating nations.
The corporation also announced that radio stations interested in broadcasting World Cup matches must obtain sublicensing rights from GBC. It warned that unauthorized radio broadcasts would not be permitted.
In addition, GBC highlighted significant commercial and sponsorship opportunities linked to the tournament, describing the FIFA World Cup as the most-watched sporting event globally. The broadcaster said brands would have the opportunity to engage millions of viewers through television, radio, digital platforms, and social media.
The corporation further cautioned media organizations and the public against unauthorized broadcasts, streaming, public-viewing exhibitions, rebroadcasts, or commercial distribution of World Cup content.
“GBC, FIFA, and New World TV wish to remind the public and media houses that any unauthorized broadcast, re-broadcast, streaming, public viewing exhibition, or commercial distribution of World Cup content within Ghana is strictly prohibited,” the statement said.
GBC noted that the Ghana TV Consortium would actively monitor traditional and digital platforms throughout the tournament and pursue legal action against entities found to be violating the exclusive broadcasting rights.
The corporation expressed appreciation to the Government of Ghana and other stakeholders for their support in bringing the tournament to Ghanaian audiences.
The FIFA World Cup 2026, scheduled to be hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, is expected to attract billions of viewers worldwide and remains one of the most significant sporting events on the global calendar.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
