Published on: June 1, 2026
FIFA has signed a long-term media rights agreement with Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd. (ZEEL), giving the broadcaster rights to distribute a broad portfolio of FIFA competitions in India from 2026 to 2034.
The partnership includes the FIFA World Cup 2026™, FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027™, FIFA World Cup 2030™, and several men’s, women’s, youth and futsal tournaments, ensuring continued access to international football for audiences across India over the next eight years.
The agreement marks FIFA’s first partnership with Zee and strengthens the governing body’s presence in one of football’s fastest-growing markets.
Under the agreement, Zee will broadcast and distribute coverage of 39 FIFA events between 2026 and 2034.
The portfolio includes:
The deal ensures Indian audiences will have access to FIFA’s flagship tournaments as well as developmental and youth competitions across the football ecosystem.
Coverage will be distributed through Zee’s broadcast and digital ecosystem.
Matches and related programming will be available across the company’s sports television network, UNITE8 Sports, as well as streaming platform ZEE5. FIFA and Zee said coverage will be offered in multiple languages to improve accessibility and fan engagement across the country.
The partnership is expected to support broader football viewership by reaching audiences across television and digital platforms.
Commenting on the agreement, Romy Gai, Chief Business Officer at FIFA, highlighted India’s importance within FIFA’s long-term growth plans.
“The FIFA World Cup is the greatest show on earth, and we are glad to partner with ‘Z’ for the first time, to bring this global spectacle to India,” said Gai.
“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.”
For Zee, the agreement represents a major addition to its sports rights portfolio as it seeks to deepen its presence in the sports broadcasting space.
Punit Goenka, CEO of Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd., said the company sees long-term growth potential in football and believes the partnership can help expand the sport’s reach in India.
“We are excited to bring one of the world’s biggest sporting spectacles to Indian audiences,” said Goenka.
“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. 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.”
Alongside the rights announcement, Zee has also launched dedicated sports channels under the UNITE8 Sports brand.
The network includes:
The channels will support coverage of FIFA competitions and other sports properties as Zee expands its sports broadcasting footprint.
The agreement gives FIFA a long-term distribution partner in India while providing Zee with access to some of football’s biggest global events through 2034.
With the FIFA World Cup 2026 set to be the first edition featuring 48 teams, the partnership is expected to play a key role in bringing international football to a wider audience across India’s television and digital landscape.
