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AI generated summary, newsroom reviewed
Football's biggest tournament ever, the FIFA World Cup 2026, is set to be telecast and live streamed online in India. After months of uncertainty surrounding the FIFA World Cup 2026 broadcast rights in India, Zee Entertainment has secured the deal, ensuring Indian fans can follow every moment of the football competition across television and live streaming online. While the financial details of the agreement have not been disclosed, industry reports suggest the negotiations underwent significant changes before reaching a conclusion. In fact, the sums involved initially included FIFA asking for $100 mn before dropping it by a significant amount.
The exact value of the agreement remains undisclosed by both FIFA and Zee. However, reports indicate that FIFA initially sought around $100 million for the FIFA World Cup 2026 broadcast rights in India and some other tournaments. The best offer by Indian broadcasters was $20 mn. However, media reports indicated that negotiations with Zee Entertainment continued thereafter for a sum of between $30 mn and $35 mn. Reports suggested JioStar offered roughly $20 million for the rights but failed to reach an agreement with FIFA. Contrast this with about $60m paid by Viacom18 for the FIFA World Cup 2022 broadcast rights . Sony, which previously held Fifa World Cup rights in India for the 2014 and 2018 editions, also held discussions for 2026 telecast rights.
The agreement with Zee is understood to be much broader than a single tournament. It includes rights to 39 FIFA events through 2034, including the FIFA Women's World Cup 2027 and several youth competitions.
India remained one of the last major markets without a confirmed broadcaster for the 2026 World Cup. One key challenge was the tournament schedule.
Unlike the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, which offered favourable viewing times for Indian audiences, many matches in the 2026 edition will be played late at night due to the North American time zones. This reportedly reduced broadcaster interest and complicated FIFA's efforts to secure a deal.
Indian viewers will be able to watch FIFA World Cup 2026 matches on Zee's sports television channels following the confirmed broadcast rights agreement with FIFA.
FIFA World Cup 2026 live streaming online will be available via Zee5, allowing fans to follow the action across smartphones, tablets, laptops, and smart televisions. The coverage will also include multiple language options to cater to audiences across different regions of the country.
The FIFA World Cup 2026 will be hosted jointly by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. It will be the first World Cup to feature 48 teams, making it the largest edition in the tournament's history.
A total of 104 matches will be played, with the competition beginning on June 11. For Indian football fans, the Zee deal for the FIFA World Cup 2026 ensures the world's biggest sporting event will remain accessible despite the challenging time difference.
