Key facts
- A Myanmar rights group, Justice For Myanmar, is calling on FIFA to revoke World Cup broadcast rights from Mytel.
- Mytel is a joint venture between the Myanmar military and Vietnam's Viettel.
- The company has been a target of boycotts and sanctions due to its financial support for Myanmar's military regime.
- The U.S. Commerce Department sanctioned Mytel for enabling human rights abuses through tracking and identification services.
- FIFA granted Mytel exclusive broadcast rights after an open tender process in September 2025.
A Myanmar rights group is urging FIFA to revoke the exclusive World Cup broadcast rights granted to Mytel, a telecommunications operator linked to the country's military government. Justice For Myanmar stated that Mytel, a joint venture between the Myanmar military and Vietnam's Viettel, provides revenue to the military, which seized power in 2021.
Yadanar Maung, a spokesperson for Justice For Myanmar, called the decision an insult to those resisting the junta and a slap in the face to Myanmar football fans. The group learned of the rights grant after Mytel launched its local advertising campaign for the World Cup.
Mytel was added to U.S. sanctions last year by the Commerce Department for providing surveillance services and financial support to the military regime, enabling human rights abuses. The United States and other entities have also sanctioned Mytel's parent company, the Myanmar Economic Corporation.
FIFA had launched an open tender for Myanmar media rights in September 2025 before selecting Mytel. The 2026 World Cup is currently underway in Canada, Mexico, and the U.S. Soccer is the most popular sport in Myanmar, with major events like the World Cup attracting large audiences.