In connection with the FIFA World Cup (W杯) North America tournament, which opens on the 11th, Chinese media Pear Video published an article stating, "China has the lowest cost in the world to watch the World Cup."

According to the article, in mainland China, all matches can be watched for free on state-run China Central Television (CCTV), digital content platform Migu, and social media platform Xiaohongshu (Red Note).

Outside of China, even in Brazil, a free broadcast and distribution model for the World Cup has been introduced across all platforms: TV, streaming media, and short video platforms.

In contrast, in the United States, viewers have to pay to watch on YouTube TV; in Canada, on TSN+; and in Spain, on DAZN. In the UK, a TV license fee payment is required to watch BBC and ITV television broadcasts.

Regarding this article, comments such as "Do you have to pay to watch public broadcasting overseas?", "Chinese soccer fans are lucky!", and "I wouldn't even watch a tournament without the Chinese national team for free" were posted on Chinese social media. (Translated and edited by Yanagawa)