"Even if South Korea Advances to the Round of 32, Could Fans Still Miss the World Cup?" JTBC Has Not Paid Broadcast Rights Fees

[Financial News] As the South Korea national football team’s chances of reaching the Round of 32 at the 2026 Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) World Cup in North and Central America improved, a Japanese media report said viewers in South Korea may not be able to watch the matches on TV.
Japan's TBS News reported on the 23rd that "there is a possibility that the World Cup broadcast may not be available in South Korea."
According to TBS News, JTBC, which holds the broadcast rights in South Korea for this tournament, is said to have failed to pay part of the rights fees due to FIFA. TBS said the shortfall was linked to JTBC's recent application for court-led rehabilitation, the sharp rise in broadcast rights costs, and difficulties in reselling the rights.
In particular, TBS said, "If the unpaid rights fees are not paid by the deadline, TV broadcasts of matches in South Korea after the knockout stage, which begins on the 29th, may not be allowed."
South Korea currently sits second in Group A with one win and one loss for three points. Even a draw against South Africa in the final group-stage match on the 25th would make advancement to the Round of 32 highly likely.
That has raised concerns that even if South Korea advances to the knockout stage, domestic viewers may not be able to watch the matches on TV.
TBS also reported reactions from South Korean citizens. One said, "I planned to watch the game with friends, so if this is true, it would be sad," while another said, "It would make no sense if South Korea national football team matches could not be watched in South Korea."
TBS also quoted a JTBC official as saying, "The JTBC official is currently at FIFA headquarters in Switzerland negotiating ways to continue the broadcasts." However, JTBC reportedly told TBS that it "cannot confirm" the matter.
Meanwhile, JTBC is believed to have secured South Korean broadcast rights for the North and Central America World Cup for about $125 million, or about 191.9 billion won. Ahead of the tournament, it negotiated a resale deal with the three terrestrial broadcasters, KBS, MBC, and SBS, but ultimately signed a joint broadcast agreement with KBS. MBC and SBS did not participate in the tournament broadcasts after negotiations broke down.
y27k@fnnews.com Seo Yoon-kyung Reporter