Zee Entertainment secures India broadcast rights for FIFA World Cup 2026
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Indian football fans will be able to watch the FIFA World Cup 2026 after FIFA awarded the tournament's broadcast rights in India to Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd.
The agreement also includes rights to 39 global FIFA events in India, including the FIFA Women's World Cup 2027 and the FIFA World Cup 2030.
The announcement ends uncertainty over the Indian broadcast partner for football's biggest tournament. Earlier, reports had suggested that negotiations involving a separate bid were unsuccessful.
As part of the partnership, Zee said it will strengthen its presence in sports broadcasting through the launch of a new sports network, Unite8 Sports.
In a filing, the company announced the launch of four dedicated sports channels: Unite8 Sports 1 and Unite8 Sports 1 HD in Hindi, along with Unite8 Sports 2 and Unite8 Sports 2 HD in English.
According to Zee, the channels will carry a wide range of sporting events, including football, kabaddi, cricket, badminton, wrestling, boxing, and combat sports.
The acquisition of FIFA rights marks a significant expansion of Zee's sports portfolio and is expected to increase access to international football for viewers across India.
The FIFA World Cup 2026 will be one of the largest editions of the tournament.