FIFA World Cup 2026 In India: Zee Secures Broadcast Rights, Matches To Stream On Zee5
Zee Entertainment has picked up the FIFA World Cup 2026 broadcast rights for India, ending weeks of doubt for football viewers. Matches will appear on the new United8 Sports television channels, while live streams will run on the Zee5 app for digital audiences across the country.
AI-generated summary, reviewed by editors
The next FIFA World Cup will start on June 11, 2026, and take place across the USA, Mexico and Canada. Indian fans will be able to follow every game through Zee Entertainment services, with traditional TV coverage backed by online streaming access on Zee5 for mobiles, TVs and laptops.
FIFA World Cup 2026 broadcast rights and long-term FIFA events deal
The agreement between Zee Entertainment and FIFA stretches beyond FIFA World Cup 2026 broadcast rights and continues until 2034. Zee platforms will also show FIFA World Cup 2030 and the Women's FIFA World Cup 2027. The group will air several age-group and futsal events as part of this long-term package.
Under the deal linked to FIFA World Cup 2026 broadcast rights, Zee properties will carry tournaments listed below on their sports network and digital platforms.
| Tournament | Years covered |
|---|---|
| FIFA World Cup | 2026, 2030 |
| Women's FIFA World Cup | 2027 |
| U-17 World Cup and Women's U-17 World Cup | Until 2034 |
| U-20 World Cup and Women's U-20 World Cup | Until 2034 |
| Futsal World Cups and Futsal Women's World Cups | Until 2034 |
| Intercontinental Cups | Until 2034 |
ZEEL CEO Punit Goenka said, "We are excited to bring one of the world's biggest sporting spectacles to Indian audiences. Football cuts across regions and demographics, and the investments in garnering the media rights and launching dedicated sports channels, reflect our clear belief in its long-term potential,"
Goenka added, "Our approach has been to invest in properties where we see current relevance and future growth potential. Our partnership with FIFA will enable us to unlock the true value of the sport in line with our sharp focus on growth and profitability, while amplifying the excitement of the game for every fan,"
FIFA World Cup 2026 broadcast rights, deal value and rival negotiations
Zee entered the frame for FIFA World Cup 2026 broadcast rights after negotiations between FIFA and JioStar reportedly collapsed. FIFA initially sought $100 million for the rights. Reports say the body was prepared to reduce the fee to $60 million, in line with a sale to China Media Group.
JioStar allegedly valued the same rights at $20 million, which FIFA did not accept, leading to a stalemate. For comparison, the FIFA World Cup 2022 rights, now held within the JioStar fold through Viacom18, were previously secured for $62 million, underlining the gap in current valuations.
United8 Sports channels will become the main television home for football under this agreement, while Zee5 will carry streams for online viewers. The arrangement means Indian fans gain clear access to FIFA events for the next decade, as highlighted in coverage by Special Correspondent Faham Uddin.
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