New Delhi, May 21 -- With weeks to go before the FIFA World Cup 2026 kicks off, an Indian-American investment firm from Washington DC, Avni LLC, has emerged as an unlikely player for the FIFA India rights.

Avni LLC said it submitted a corporate guarantee backed by financial commitments exceeding $300 million in February 2026 as part of FIFA's closed tender process for the Indian subcontinent, claiming an associated partner secured the winning bid after competing against several major Indian broadcasters.

The announcement comes as India remains without a confirmed broadcaster -- an extraordinary situation for one of the world's largest and fastest-growing football markets.

Avni LLC is pitching a broader vision beyond traditional televis...