Under the reported arrangement, television coverage will be split by commentary language:
That gives viewers a choice between traditional television and on-demand access, a significant factor for a tournament featuring matches across multiple North American time zones.
The report says the 2026 edition will be the first World Cup with 48 teams, producing 104 matches. The group stage will feature 12 groups of four, rather than the previous eight-group structure.
The top two teams in each group, plus the eight best third-placed sides, will advance. The knockout phase will therefore begin with a round of 32 before the last 16, adding another layer of jeopardy to the group standings.
The reported draw includes several high-profile contests:
The next key moment for Indian fans will be the opening broadcast on 12 June, when the expanded format and new viewing arrangement face their first real test.