JOHOR BARU: The appointment of Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) and Unifi TV as official broadcasters for the 2026 FIFA World Cup has brought relief to local mamak restaurant operators in Johor.
Johor Indian Muslim Entrepreneurs Association secretary Hussein Ibrahim said members were initially concerned that World Cup matches might not be widely available on local television platforms, which could affect footfall at mamak eateries across the state.
“We are happy that RTM and Unifi TV will serve as the official broadcasters for the World Cup,” he said when contacted yesterday.
Hussein said mamak restaurants here typically experience strong crowds during major football tournaments, with fans gathering to watch live matches on big screens, especially in open-air settings that are popular among local supporters.
“Normally, mamak restaurants will be full of patrons, especially football fans wanting to see their favourite teams, including local clubs,” Hussein said.
He added that the FIFA World Cup, being the world’s largest sporting event, is expected to draw even larger audiences this time around, particularly with an expanded number of participating teams leading to more matches being played.
Hussein said the atmosphere at mamak restaurants has long been a key attraction for football fans in Malaysia, who prefer the communal viewing experience over watching matches at home.
“Local football fans have always preferred coming to mamak restaurants to watch matches on giant screens because of the good outdoor atmosphere.”
Hussein said the tournament, which will be hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, will see matches played during time slots that could influence customer turnout in Malaysia due to the time difference.
“These matches will start between 3am and 10am.
“This will influence some football fans ... either to have breakfast or early lunch at mamak restaurants while watching the World Cup,” he said.
Hussein said the timing of the tournament, which coincides with the school holidays, is expected to attract family groups as well.
“As the World Cup will coincide with the school holidays, we are expecting to see more families coming to mamak restaurants, especially during the weekends,” he added.
Hussein said Johor currently has about 500 mamak restaurants, many of which operate 24 hours, making them well-positioned to cater to football fans throughout the tournament.
Earlier, Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said the decision to broadcast the World Cup was made through collaboration with the private sector to guarantee high-quality broadcasting and broader access for viewers across the nation.
The United States is co-hosting the 2026 World Cup along with Mexico and Canada, with the opening match scheduled to take place in Mexico City on June 11, while the final is set for New Jersey on July 19.
