Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited (ZEEL) has officially secured the Indian media rights for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and several other major FIFA tournaments. The company will broadcast the matches on its newly launched Unite8 Sports television channels, while fans can also watch the action live on Zee5.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will begin on June 11 and will take place across the United States, Mexico, and Canada. The tournament will feature 48 teams for the first time in FIFA World Cup history.

Long-Term Partnership With FIFA

ZEEL announced that its agreement covers several major FIFA events until 2034.

The company will broadcast:

• 2026 FIFA World Cup
• 2030 FIFA World Cup
• 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup
• Other FIFA tournaments through 2034
• FIFA documentary and special content

The deal strengthens Zee's position in the sports broadcasting market and expands its football portfolio significantly.

Multiple FIFA Tournaments Included

Apart from the men's and women's FIFA World Cups, Zee will also televise several youth and indoor football competitions.

These include:

• FIFA U-17 World Cup
• FIFA Women's U-17 World Cup
• FIFA U-20 World Cup
• FIFA Women's U-20 World Cup
• FIFA Futsal World Cup
• FIFA Women's Futsal World Cup
• FIFA Intercontinental Cups

The agreement gives Indian football fans access to a wide range of international FIFA competitions on a single network.

Zee Sees Huge Growth Potential in Football

Speaking about the acquisition, ZEEL CEO Punit Goenka highlighted the company's confidence in football's future in India.

"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," said Goenka.

He 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 and JioStar Could Not Reach Agreement

The deal came after FIFA and JioStar reportedly failed to agree on the value of the current and future FIFA tournaments.

According to earlier reports, FIFA initially sought around $100 million for the Indian broadcast rights. The governing body was later willing to lower its expectations to around $60 million.

However, JioStar reportedly valued the rights package at approximately $20 million, leading to a gap in negotiations.

As a result, ZEEL stepped in and secured the rights.

New Sports Channels to Carry FIFA Coverage

As part of its sports expansion strategy, Zee recently launched four dedicated sports channels:

• Unite8 Sports 1
• Unite8 Sports 1 HD (Hindi)
• Unite8 Sports 2
• Unite8 Sports 2 HD (English)

The network already owns rights to events such as:

• Bengal Super League
• UP Kabaddi League
• International League T20 (ILT20)

The addition of the FIFA World Cup significantly strengthens its sports offerings. According to the company, the channels will also broadcast football, cricket, kabaddi, badminton, wrestling, and combat sports.

Time Zone Remains a Challenge

The announcement comes less than two weeks before the FIFA World Cup begins. The opening match between Mexico and South Africa will take place in Mexico City. Due to the North American time zone, many matches will start after midnight for viewers in India.

Broadcasters have traditionally viewed these timings as a challenge because late-night matches often attract smaller television audiences.

In contrast, the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar benefited from favourable viewing hours for Indian fans. Viacom18, which is now part of JioStar, had acquired those rights for approximately $62 million.

Zee Returns to Sports Broadcasting

The FIFA deal marks another major step in Zee's return to sports broadcasting. The company announced plans last year to re-enter the sports television market, eight years after selling its sports channels to Sony Pictures Networks India.

Zee first entered sports broadcasting in 2005 with Zee Sports. It expanded its presence in 2006 by acquiring Ten Sports, becoming a major player in the Indian sports media industry.

Now, with FIFA's biggest tournaments in its portfolio, the company has made one of its strongest moves yet in rebuilding its sports business.