New Delhi: Indian football fans are set to receive a major boost, with a deal for the broadcast rights of the 2026 FIFA World Cup reportedly nearing completion. Sources indicate that negotiations between FIFA and Zee Entertainment Enterprises are in the final stages, with an official announcement expected within the next couple of days.
The agreement is understood to be valued between USD 30 million and USD 35 million and would grant Zee exclusive rights to televise and stream the tournament in India. The broadcaster is expected to air matches across its newly launched sports network while also making them available on its digital platform, ZEE5.
The development follows unsuccessful negotiations between FIFA and Reliance Disney for the India rights package. Meanwhile, Sony Pictures Networks India reportedly explored the opportunity but did not submit a formal bid.
Preparations for the tournament coverage are already believed to be underway. Zee has reportedly begun assembling multilingual commentary and production teams from its Mumbai studios to ensure extensive coverage for viewers across different regions of the country.
The acquisition would mark a significant step in Zee’s renewed push into sports broadcasting. The company recently expanded its presence in the sector with the launch of four dedicated sports channels under the Unite8 Sports brand, offering programming in both Hindi and English.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be jointly hosted by United States, Canada and Mexico. Scheduled to begin on June 11, the tournament will be the first World Cup featuring 48 teams and will include a record 104 matches.
Industry observers suggest FIFA adjusted its asking price for the Indian market in recent months, partly because many matches will take place in North American time zones, leading to late-night and early-morning viewing hours for Indian audiences.
If finalised, the agreement will ensure that all 104 matches of football’s biggest event are available to viewers across India through television and digital platforms.
