Zee Entertainment secures FIFA World Cup 2026 broadcast rights

FIFA Signs Deal with Zee Entertainment to Broadcast World Cup in India

FIFA has reached an agreement with Indian media company Zee Entertainment to broadcast 39 of its tournaments from 2026 to 2034, including the 2027 Women’s World Cup. The deal covers eight years and includes all major FIFA events.

The partnership was announced on Monday, marking a significant development in India’s sports broadcasting market. According to reports, FIFA initially sought $100m for the 2026 and 2030 tournaments before reducing its asking price to $60m. Financial terms of the package were not disclosed.

Zee Entertainment will now have access to a range of high-profile events, including the Women’s World Cup in 2027. The deal is expected to give Zee a foothold in India’s sports broadcast market, where Reliance-Disney joint venture JioStar holds rights to other major sporting events such as the Indian Premier League and English Premier League.

The agreement comes ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which is set to take place from June 11 to July 19. However, due to time differences between India and the host cities, many matches will be played at odd hours for Indian audiences. Only a small fraction of games will start before midnight, with the final scheduled to begin at 19:00 GMT on July 19.

Industry experts note that television is a struggling medium in India, with digital platforms dominating the sports economy market. As a result, broadcasters have shown limited interest in the FIFA World Cup. The deal marks an important milestone for Zee Entertainment and demonstrates its commitment to expanding its sports broadcasting offerings.

Source: Al Jazeera