New Delhi: Indian football fans will be able to watch the next two FIFA World Cups on platforms owned by Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited (ZEEL) after the media company secured exclusive Indian broadcast rights for several major FIFA tournaments through 2034.
The landmark agreement makes ZEEL the official broadcaster in India for the 2026 and 2030 editions of the FIFA World Cup. Matches will be televised on the company’s newly launched Unite8 Sports channels and streamed live on ZEE5.
The first tournament under the deal will be the expanded 48-team 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted jointly by United States, Mexico and Canada.
Coverage Extends Beyond Men’s World Cup
The rights package includes several prestigious FIFA competitions beyond the men’s World Cup. ZEEL will also broadcast the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027, along with youth and futsal tournaments over the next decade.
These include the FIFA U-17 and U-20 World Cups for both men and women, the FIFA Futsal World Cups, and the FIFA Intercontinental Cup.
Commenting on the acquisition, Punit Goenka said football has significant long-term growth potential in India and remains one of the most widely followed sports globally.
The deal is considered one of the biggest football broadcasting acquisitions in the Indian market in recent years and signals Zee’s ambition to strengthen its presence in sports broadcasting.
The 2026 World Cup will present a different viewing challenge compared to the 2022 tournament in Qatar, as most matches in North America are expected to be played during late-night and early-morning hours for Indian audiences due to time-zone differences.
Despite the scheduling challenge, the World Cup remains one of the world’s most-watched sporting events, and Zee will be hoping the tournament helps expand football’s reach among Indian viewers while attracting a new generation of fans.
