BANGKOK (AP) — A myanmar Rights groups are calling on FIFA to reverse its decision to grant exclusive permission. world cup Broadcasting rights were granted to a US-licensed company with ties to the military regime that took power five years ago.
The group Justice for Myanmar told The Associated Press on Friday that it first learned this week that international soccer governing body FIFA had granted Mitel exclusive Myanmar broadcast rights after the carrier launched a local advertising campaign in the lead-up to the World Cup.
Mytel, one of Myanmar’s four telecom operators, is a joint venture between the Myanmar military and Viettel, which is controlled by the Vietnamese military. Launched in 2018, it provides revenue to Myanmar’s military, making it a major target of military opponents and the focus of consumer boycotts.
Myanmar is involved in an incident brutal civil war between forces government run by the militaryseized power from democratically elected people Aung San Suu Kyi In 2021, different groups will come together. old militia organization It is organized by the country’s many ethnic minority groups and newly formed pro-democracy forces.
“FIFA should immediately remove Miter’s media rights, stand up for human rights and stop weakening sanctions,” said Myanmar Justice spokesperson Yadana Maung.
“This is an insult to many Myanmar people. Considering their lives are resisting “This is a slap in the face to the brutal and illegal military regime that has boycotted Mittel, and to Myanmar’s football fans. FIFA needs to put this right now,” the spokesperson added.
Mitel did not answer phone calls, return voicemail messages or respond to email requests for comment. FIFA also did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment.
FIFA launched a public tender for Myanmar’s media rights in September 2025 before selecting Mytel.
Mitel was added last year to a list of organizations in Myanmar, also known as Burma, that have been sanctioned by the U.S. Department of Commerce for “actions and activities contrary to national security and the foreign policy interests of the United States.”
“This organization was added to provide surveillance services and financial support to the Burmese military regime, enabling the regime to track and identify targeted individuals and groups to carry out human rights abuses,” the Commerce Department said in announcing the Mitel sanctions.
The United States and other countries have also imposed sanctions on Mitel’s parent company, Myanmar Economic Corporation of the Myanmar military.
of 2026 world cup Games will be held in Canada, Mexico and the United States until mid-July.
Although Myanmar does not have a competitive team, soccer is the country’s most popular sport, with major events such as the World Cup and top European matches drawing large television and online viewers. Brazil, England, Argentina, Portugal and Germany are the top favorites to win in this country.
