01 June,2026 05:14 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Argentina will be the defending champions at the World Cup (Pic: AFP)
Zee Entertainment Enterprises has sealed a massive television and streaming deal with FIFA, locking in exclusive broadcast rights for 39 premier football tournaments in India from 2026 to 2034. This historic agreement marks the very first partnership between the two companies and includes mega-events such as the men's FIFA World Cups in 2026 and 2030, alongside the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup.
The multi-year contract also bundles several youth-level and futsal competitions for both men and women, alongside related documentary features. Among the included events are the Men's and Women's U-17 and U-20 World Cups, the FIFA Futsal World Cups, and the FIFA Intercontinental Cup running through 2030.
The live match coverage begins on June 11 with the opening clash of the FIFA World Cup 2026. Zee is launching four brand-new sports networks for the occasion: Unite8 Sports 1 and its HD counterpart for Hindi commentary, and Unite8 Sports 2 and its HD version for English coverage. Fans can also stream every match live on Zee's digital platform, ZEE5.
"We are thrilled to bring one of the globe's greatest sporting events to Indian fans," said Punit Goenka, CEO of Zee Entertainment, adding, "Football connects people across all backgrounds. Our investment in these media rights and new sports channels shows our strong belief in its future growth here."
Romy Gai, FIFA's Chief Business Officer, noted that India is a highly strategic market for the organisation due to its massive, young, and enthusiastic fanbase.
The deal follows long, drawn-out negotiations for the Indian subcontinent's broadcast rights. Reports indicate that FIFA originally wanted USD 100 million for the 2026 and 2030 packages before lowering the price tag to roughly USD 60 million. Rival network JioStar had countered with a USD 20 million bid, while Sony eventually dropped out of the race.
The exact financial terms of Zee's final agreement remain undisclosed.
"Football holds massive, untapped potential in India, and we see an incredible opportunity to bring its widespread appeal to millions of households," added Mukund Galgali, Zee's Deputy CEO and CFO.
Zee's existing sports library already features cricket, kabaddi, badminton, and wrestling. This fresh football acquisition significantly boosts the company's profile in a market historically dominated by cricket, making the 2026 World Cup its first major test on the football pitch.
