A Myanmar human-rights group is urging FIFA to revoke exclusive 2026 World Cup broadcast rights awarded in Myanmar to telecom operator Mytel. The group argues that Mytel is closely tied to Myanmar’s military government, which took power in February 2021 following a coup. According to the group, Mytel functions as a significant revenue source for the military authorities, and that connection makes FIFA’s arrangement inappropriate.
The request focuses on FIFA’s decision to grant Mytel exclusive rights for World Cup coverage within Myanmar. Both accounts describe the appeal as pressure on FIFA to reconsider the rights arrangement in light of the company’s alleged links to the military. The reporting does not indicate that FIFA or Mytel has responded, nor does it provide additional verification beyond the claims made by the rights group.
Overall, the sources say the campaign is part of broader international scrutiny of business relationships connected to Myanmar’s military leadership, with the World Cup broadcast deal becoming a specific point of contention.
