Zee Secures FIFA Media Rights in India, Launches Dedicated Sports Channels Ahead of World Cup 2026

New Delhi, June 2026 : Football fans in India are set to enjoy extensive coverage of the world’s biggest football tournaments after Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited (ZEEL) secured the Indian media rights for several major FIFA events, including the FIFA World Cup 2026 and FIFA World Cup 2030.

The company announced that all the action from the FIFA World Cup 2026, which begins on June 11, will be available across its newly launched Unite8 Sports channels as well as on its digital streaming platform Zee5. The landmark agreement also includes broadcasting rights for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 and a range of other FIFA competitions and content up to 2034.

As part of its expansion into sports broadcasting, Zee has unveiled four dedicated sports channels — Unite8 Sports 1, Unite8 Sports 1 HD, Unite8 Sports 2, and Unite8 Sports 2 HD. The company said the move is aimed at providing football enthusiasts with comprehensive coverage and a superior viewing experience across television and digital platforms.

Zee5 will simultaneously offer live streaming of FIFA events, enabling viewers to watch matches in their preferred language and enjoy an immersive digital experience. The company believes the combination of traditional broadcasting and digital delivery will help bring football closer to audiences across India.

Under the agreement with FIFA, Zee will become the home of several major international football tournaments in the country. In addition to the FIFA World Cup 2026 and FIFA World Cup 2030, the broadcaster will air the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027, FIFA Intercontinental Cup competitions from 2026 to 2030, and a host of age-group and futsal tournaments.

These include the FIFA Men’s Under-17 World Cup and FIFA Women’s Under-17 World Cup from 2026 to 2034, the FIFA Men’s Under-20 World Cup in 2027, 2029, 2031 and 2033, and the FIFA Women’s Under-20 World Cup from 2026 through 2034. Zee will also broadcast the FIFA Futsal Men’s World Cup in 2028 and 2032 and the FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup in 2029 and 2033.

Commenting on the partnership, Punit Goenka, Chief Executive Officer of Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited, said football continues to attract audiences across regions, languages and demographics, making it one of the most promising sports properties in the country.

He noted that the acquisition of FIFA rights and the launch of dedicated sports channels reflected Zee’s long-term commitment to sports broadcasting and its belief in football’s growth potential in India. According to Goenka, the partnership will allow the company to strengthen its sports portfolio while delivering world-class football content to Indian viewers.

FIFA Chief Business Officer Romy Gai described the FIFA World Cup as the biggest sporting spectacle in the world and welcomed the partnership with Zee. He said India represents a strategically important market for FIFA due to its young population and growing interest in football.

Gai expressed confidence that Zee’s extensive broadcast network, digital ecosystem and understanding of local audiences would help expand football’s reach across the country and attract new fans to the sport.

The upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 is expected to be historic, as it will feature an expanded format with 48 teams for the first time, up from the previous 32-team structure. Co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, the tournament will run from June 11 to July 19 and will feature a record 104 matches across 16 cities, making it the largest World Cup ever staged.

With the acquisition of FIFA’s marquee properties, Zee has positioned itself as a major player in India’s sports broadcasting landscape and aims to make football more accessible than ever to millions of fans across the country.

Team Maverick.