Zee Wins FIFA Media Rights Deal, Brings World Cup Action To Indian Viewers
NEW DELHI – Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited has secured the Indian media rights for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and FIFA World Cup 2030, along with the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 and several other FIFA events through 2034, the company announced on May 31.
The FIFA World Cup 2026, which begins June 11 and will be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada through July 19, will be available across Zee’s Unite8 Sports channels and streamed live on Zee5.
To support its expanded football coverage, Zee announced the launch of four dedicated sports channels — Unite8 Sports 1, Unite8 Sports 1 HD, Unite8 Sports 2 and Unite8 Sports 2 HD.
Zee Entertainment Enterprises said the agreement also includes FIFA documentary content for the Indian market. The agreement also includes rights to several FIFA youth, women’s and futsal tournaments, as well as the FIFA Intercontinental Cup, through 2034.
Commenting on the partnership, Zee Entertainment Enterprises Chief Executive Officer Punit Goenka said, “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. 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 Chief Business Officer Romy Gai said, “The FIFA World Cup is the greatest show on earth, and we are glad to partner with ‘Z’ for the first time, to bring this global spectacle to India. The Indian market is of strategic importance for FIFA as it displays immense potential driven by a young and passionate audience. We believe the extensive broadcast and digital distribution ecosystem of ‘Z’ coupled with their deep understanding of local viewers and multi-platform capabilities will play a pivotal role in expanding the reach of football with fans across every part of India.”
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will expand from 32 to 48 teams for the first time. The tournament will feature a record 104 matches across 16 cities in the United States, Mexico and Canada, making it the largest World Cup in the competition’s history. (IANS)
