The post Zee acquires FIFA World Cup 2026 broadcast and streaming rights appeared first on SportsMint Media.
Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited (ZEEL) has announced that it has acquired the Indian broadcast and streaming rights to 39 FIFA football events between 2026 and 2034, including the FIFA World Cup 2026, FIFA World Cup 2030, and FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027.
The agreement, which is the first between Zee and FIFA, includes a portfolio of age-group and futsal competitions for both men’s and women’s games, as well as documentary series associated with each property.
The FIFA Men’s U-17 World Cup and FIFA Women’s U-17 World Cup editions from 2026 to 2034 are among the events covered, as are the FIFA U-20 Men’s and Women’s World Cup cycles, the FIFA Futsal Men’s and Women’s World Cups, and the FIFA Intercontinental Cup until 2030.
The FIFA World Cup 2026 kicks off on June 11 and will be broadcast on four newly launched linear sports channels — Unite8 Sports 1 and Unite8 Sports 1 HD in Hindi, and Unite8 Sports 2 and Unite8 Sports 2 HD in English, as well as Zee’s streaming platform ZEE5.
Punit Goenka, CEO of Zee Entertainment Enterprises, said, “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.”
Romy Gai, FIFA Chief Business Officer, commented, “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.”
FIFA has already secured broadcasting partnerships in over 180 countries, demonstrating the tournament’s immense global appeal.
India is still one of the governing body’s most important markets in terms of audience size. According to FIFA data, the country accounted for 2.9% of the global linear television audience for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, trailing only China in total engagement.
The tournament drew an estimated 745 million viewers in India via television and digital platforms. Television viewership alone reached nearly 84 million, propelling India into the top ten global markets for the event and surpassing several participating football nations such as Germany, France, and England.
The post Zee acquires FIFA World Cup 2026 broadcast and streaming rights appeared first on SportsMint Media.