North Korea’s state-run Korean Central Television was accused of airing FIFA World Cup 2026 matches without official World Cup 2026 rights, according to the Korea Joongang Daily.
Football media outlet Alerta Mundial claimed on X that KCTV intercepted and retransmitted official satellite signals to broadcast tournament matches.
The outlet shared footage appearing to show Group E fixtures between the Ivory Coast and Ecuador. It also showed a match between Germany and Curaçao.
월드컵 중계권도 도둑질 하는 북한 클라쓰 ㅉㅉ ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ진짜 웃기넼ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ
jtbc ㅂ신이네 북한처럼 무단방영하면 되는데ㅋㅋ pic.twitter.com/c8RgJeKLxd
— 먹물이 (@mugmulree) June 21, 2026The broadcast included an on-screen caption reading: “FIFA 2026 World Cup group matches.”
Alerta Mundial alleged that KCTV received foreign satellite feeds, possibly from neighbouring countries such as China. They then rebroadcast them without authorisation.
North Korea has not been granted official FIFA broadcasting rights for the tournament.
FIFA had not issued a public response to the latest allegation. Observers cited by the outlet said disciplinary action could follow if the claims are verified.
Read: Curacao Ecuador 0-0: Eloy Room Makes 15 Saves
FIFA confirmed in 2023 that North Korea aired Women’s World Cup matches without permission. As a result, FIFA issued a warning to the country’s state broadcasting authority.
North Korea has previously shown delayed or limited World Cup coverage through arrangements involving international broadcasters. This included special access agreements used in earlier tournaments.
