Mumbai, Jan 15

India's sports and entertainment channel Sony SIX has won the exclusive broadcast rights for the 2014 FIFA World Cup and also the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

The 2014 edition will be held in Brazil from June 12 to July 13 while the 2018 FIFA World Cup will be held in Russia from June 8 to July 8. The deal also includes the rights to broadcast FIFA U- 17 World Cup 2017 to be hosted by India. 

This latest acquisition by Sony SIX comes on the back of broadcasting the UEFA and CONMEBOL matches from the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying rounds, in addition to acquiring the rights for qualifiers for UEFA Euro 2016 and the main tournament UEFA Euro 2016. 

The 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil schedule has been officially confirmed after the groups were drawn on Dec 6. The tournament will be in two stages -- group stage will feature 32 nations and will be played from June 12 to June 26. 

The knockout stage will start from June 28 and conclude with the FIFA World Cup Final match July 13.

By:IANS