Astro has officially confirmed that it will not broadcast the FIFA World Cup 2026, bringing to an end a run of more than two decades as one of Malaysia’s World Cup broadcasters.
The confirmation comes after speculation that the pay-TV operator could still secure access to the tournament following earlier discussions with the current rights holders.
In a statement to Lowyat.NET, Astro said the FIFA World Cup 2026 would not be available on any of its platforms, including Astro, NJOI and Sooka.
“We understand how much the FIFA World Cup means to our customers, especially those who have chosen Astro as their Home of Sports.
We regret to inform that the FIFA World Cup 2026 will not be available on Astro’s platforms. Customers can, however, catch all matches through the official broadcasters in Malaysia — RTM and Unifi TV — including via RTM’s free-to-air channel and RTMKlik.”
The announcement confirms that RTM and Unifi TV will remain the official broadcasters for the tournament in Malaysia. Football fans will also be able to watch matches through the MyGOV application, while Unifi TV has already introduced dedicated World Cup viewing passes for subscribers and non-subscribers.
Despite missing out on football’s biggest tournament, Astro said it remains committed to delivering a comprehensive sports offering and will continue investing in local sporting events and talent development.
Among the competitions supported by Astro are the Sepak Takraw League (STL), Netball Super League (NSL) and SUKMA Selangor.
The development comes as Astro undergoes a leadership transition. Group Chief Executive Officer Euan Smith is set to step down after six years at the helm, with former CEO Henry Tan returning as interim Group CEO from June 16 while the company searches for a permanent successor.
According to Lowyat.NET, Astro said Smith’s departure follows the completion of much of the company’s platform transformation efforts, which included expanding streaming services, introducing new digital offerings and integrating broadband and content services to adapt to evolving consumer viewing habits.
Lowyat.NET
