Why doesn't Vietnam have broadcasting rights for the FIFA ASEAN Cup and Asiad yet?

While the Vietnam national team is actively preparing for the 2026 FIFA ASEAN Cup and the 20th Asian Games (Asiad), a burning issue concerns fans and experts: the broadcasting rights for these two major sporting events have yet to be finalized. The risk that Vietnamese viewers will not be able to watch their national team's matches live on free-to-air television is very real. This article delves into the root causes from a rights governance perspective, the industry-wide transmission effects, and the potential consequences for Vietnamese football.

Root Cause: FIFA's Centralization of ASEAN Cup Rights The biggest difference compared to previous AFF Cups is that the 2026 FIFA ASEAN Cup is organized by FIFA itself. This shift means that commercial and broadcasting rights no longer belong to the AFF (ASEAN Football Federation) but are entirely in FIFA's hands. According to a leader of a major Vietnamese television station, FIFA's involvement makes negotiations "much more complex than with previous regional tournaments." As a result, to date, no entity in Vietnam or across Southeast Asia has acquired the rights to this tournament. This indicates a mismatch between FIFA's valuation and the region's willingness to pay.

'Deadlock' on Asiad Rights: A Structural Problem The situation for Asiad 20 broadcasting rights in Vietnam is equally "very difficult," according to sources from VietNamNet. The negotiations have reached an impasse. Asiad 20 is a massive event with 43 sports and 469 events, making the comprehensive rights package very expensive. Even in Japan, a major media market, purchasing Asiad rights has encountered obstacles. For a single entity to bear the cost of the entire 43-sport package is financially unfeasible for most national broadcasters. This "bundling" model has created a significant barrier, putting Vietnam and many other countries in a tight spot.

Vietnam Team: Well-Prepared but Facing a Tight Schedule Amid the rights uncertainty, the Vietnam national team, under coach Kim Sang Sik, is proceeding with its training camp plans for the FIFA ASEAN Cup. The team's schedule is intense: facing the Philippines on September 26 at Si Jalak Harupat Stadium in Bandung, Indonesia; just three days later, a match against Thailand; and concluding the group stage against Pakistan on October 2 in Jakarta. Playing three matches in less than a week presents significant challenges regarding fitness and squad rotation. The inclusion of Pakistan, a South Asian team, in an ASEAN-branded tournament is also noteworthy, possibly indicating an expanded format or an initial reporting error.

Pressure from Fans and Media Vietnamese fans are still riding high from a recent championship and have enormous expectations to watch the team compete in the FIFA ASEAN Cup on free-to-air television. The prospect that "fans may not be able to watch live" has been raised, creating a wave of potential disappointment. Public pressure is mounting on broadcasters and sports authorities, not FIFA. If the rights are not secured, the reputation of these entities could be severely damaged. The target of winning 4-6 gold medals and finishing in the top 20 overall at the Asiad further heats up the story, as golden moments lose their value without live television coverage.

Solutions for the 'Thirst' for Rights? A positive signal is that a major Vietnamese television station is "close to successfully purchasing" the FIFA ASEAN Cup rights. However, this information is still unofficial ("close to"). The negotiations are being conducted at "a reasonable price," suggesting that Vietnamese negotiators are taking a firm stance. For the Asiad, the possibility of sub-licensing the rights package to other entities is a viable path, helping to reduce the financial burden and bring coverage to more viewers. An alternative is broadcasting highlights, summary videos, or replays, but this is unlikely to satisfy passionate fans' demand for live action.

Counter-Intuitive View: A Regional Problem, Not Just Vietnam's The fact is that not only Vietnam, but the entire Southeast Asian region has yet to secure the FIFA ASEAN Cup rights. This points to a systemic issue: FIFA is pricing the regional football product higher than the market's ability to pay. This is not simply a story of "Vietnam's weak negotiation skills." In fact, FIFA's centralization could create a revenue boost in the long term if the market gradually adapts, but in the short term, it is creating a liquidity crisis. For the Asiad, the exorbitant and inflexible multi-sport rights packages are a common problem for many countries, reflecting an outdated business model rather than a specific failure of Vietnam.

Conclusion: The Puzzle of Profit and Social Responsibility The future of sports broadcasting rights in Vietnam stands at a critical crossroads. The story is not just about buying or not buying, but about how to balance the profits of international sports organizations with the social responsibility of broadcasters towards fans. A sustainable solution may lie in renegotiating rigid rights packaging mechanisms, or the emergence of lower-cost online platforms. If no breakthrough occurs in the coming weeks, Vietnamese fans will have to face a harsh reality: the team plays, but only a few get to watch. That would be a loss for the entire football ecosystem, a puzzle that rights holders must urgently solve.

This article is based on information from VietNamNet and other official sources as of the current date.