New Delhi: It is now official, the 2026 FIFA World Cup – and upcoming editions – will be broadcast on Zee Entertainment Enterprise Limited’s (ZEEL) newly-launched Unite8 Sports linear TV channels in India. The 48-team competition will also be available for live streaming on Zee5. The FIFA World Cup begins on June 11 and will be played in the USA, Mexico and Canada.The company announced that it will broadcast the 2026 and 2030 FIFA World Cups, the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup and other key FIFA events up to 2034, including docu-series content in the Indian market.Beyond the FIFA World Cups (men and women), ‘Z’ will also showcase the U-17 World Cups, Women’s U-17 World Cups, U-20 World Cup, Women’s U-20 World Cup, Futsal World Cups, Futsal Women’s World Cups and the Intercontinental Cups.“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 ZEEL CEO Punit Goenka.“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,” he continued. As TimesofIndia.com had reported, ZEEL had entered the picture after FIFA and JioStar couldn’t come to an agreement on the pricing of the current and future tournaments.As ZEEL folded its entertainment channels, it has introduced Unite8 Sports 1, Unite8 Sports 1 HD in Hindi, Unite8 Sports 2 and Unite8 Sports 2 HD in English. With Bengal Super League, UP Kabaddi League and ILT20 already in their portfolio, the 2026 FIFA World Cup will only bolster the package. In a media note, the company said the channels will carry football, cricket, kabaddi, badminton, wrestling and combat sports.The announcement for the 2026 FIFA World Cup broadcast rights comes less than two weeks before the tournament gets underway with Mexico vs South Africa in Mexico City. The game, like most others, will kick-off past midnight for Indian audience. The challenging time zone has been one major hurdle behind lack of interest from Indian broadcasters. The 2022 FIFA World Cup, played in Qatar in favourable time zone, had been acquired by Viacom18, now part of JioStar, for $62 million.FIFA were reportedly looking for $100 million from the broadcast rights deal in India but were willing to drop to $60 million. China Media Group, who took up the rights in China, have reportedly paid $62 million for the upcoming edition.However, JioStar had reportedly valued the 2026 FIFA World Cup rights at $20 million, a figure not agreeable for FIFA.ZEEL had announced its intention to re-enter the sports broadcasting sector last year – eight years after divesting its channels to Culver Max Entertainment Private Limited (the corporate name for Sony Pictures Networks India).ZEEL had first entered the sports broadcasting sector in 2005 with Zee Sports. It expanded a year later by acquiring Ten Sports.
