Zee enters talks with FIFA to acquire India broadcast and streaming rights for the 2026 World Cup

Published May 27, 2026 by The Daily Scout

- Zee Entertainment said on May 26 it is in talks with FIFA to broadcast and stream the 2026 World Cup in India. - Mint reported Zee plans four new sports channels, including Unite8 Sports, as the company ties its FIFA bid to a wider sports push. - FIFA’s 2026 World Cup begins on June 12 in North America; any India rights announcement would come from FIFA and Zee.

Why it matters

Zee Entertainment said on May 26 that it is in talks with FIFA to acquire the Indian television and streaming rights for the 2026 World Cup, a tournament that begins on June 12 in the United States, Mexico and Canada. The disclosure came in a company statement cited by Mint and the Economic Times after weeks of uncertainty over who would carry the tournament in one of football’s largest media markets. Reuters had reported earlier in May that FIFA was still trying to close a deal in India after talks with other broadcasters stalled. ### Why was India’s World Cup rights market still unresolved so close to kickoff? Reuters reported on May 18 that FIFA media-rights officials were in India to try to secure a deal because no broadcaster had yet signed for the 2026 World Cup. That report said FIFA had been seeking about $100 million for the combined India rights to the 2026 and 2030 World Cups, while Reliance-Disney’s offer was significantly lower, according to sources familiar with the talks. (livemint.com) The Economic Times and Mint both said the lack of a signed India broadcaster had created uncertainty for viewers with the tournament less than three weeks away. Mint also reported last week that JioHotstar had failed to reach an agreement with FIFA, leaving the market open for another bidder. (economictimes.indiatimes.com) ### What exactly has Zee said? Zee said in a statement carried by Mint that it is “in talks” with FIFA to broadcast and stream World Cup matches in India. The company did not say whether an agreement had been signed, what price was under discussion, or whether the package would include only 2026 or a broader cycle of rights. (economictimes.indiatimes.com) The wording matters because it stops short of a formal award. As of May 27, the public reporting from Mint and the Economic Times describes discussions, not a completed rights announcement from FIFA. (livemint.com) ### How does this connect to Zee’s sports-channel plans? Mint reported on May 26 that Zee paired the FIFA disclosure with plans to launch four new sports channels. One of those channels is Unite8 Sports, according to the report, which said the network is building a broader sports offering rather than treating the World Cup as a one-off event. (livemint.com) The Economic Times also said Zee is launching new sports channels that will carry multiple sports, including football. That report framed the FIFA talks as part of Zee’s effort to expand its sports broadcasting presence in India. (livemint.com) ### Why does the timing matter for advertisers and distributors? June 12 is the opening date of the 2026 World Cup, leaving little time for a winning broadcaster to finalize carriage, marketing and ad sales. Reuters said earlier this month that the late timing risked compressing the work needed to set up broadcast infrastructure and sell inventory in India. (economictimes.indiatimes.com) The 2022 World Cup rights in India were announced about 14 months before the tournament, according to Reuters reporting cited by the Economic Times. This time, the process has run much closer to kickoff. (economictimes.indiatimes.com) ### What should viewers watch for next? FIFA and Zee are the two named parties in the current talks, and any next step would most likely be a formal rights announcement or a joint confirmation of television and streaming arrangements in India. Mint reported that the company had already publicly acknowledged the discussions on May 26. (economictimes.indiatimes.com) June 12 is now the hard deadline in practical terms. Before then, the market still needs clarity on which Zee channels or platforms would carry matches in India, whether the rights package includes both broadcast and streaming, and whether FIFA confirms a final agreement. (livemint.com)

Key numbers

Zee Entertainment said on May 26 it is in talks with FIFA to broadcast and stream the 2026 World Cup in India.
Mint reported Zee plans four new sports channels, including Unite8 Sports, as the company ties its FIFA bid to a wider sports push.
FIFA’s 2026 World Cup begins on June 12 in North America; any India rights announcement would come from FIFA and Zee.
Zee Entertainment said on May 26 that it is in talks with FIFA to acquire the Indian television and streaming rights for the 2026 World Cup, a tournament that begins on June 12 in the United States, Mexico and Canada.

What happens next

Zee Entertainment said on May 26 that it is in talks with FIFA to acquire the Indian television and streaming rights for the 2026 World Cup, a tournament that begins on June 12 in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
Reuters had reported earlier in May that FIFA was still trying to close a deal in India after talks with other broadcasters stalled.
Reuters reported on May 18 that FIFA media-rights officials were in India to try to secure a deal because no broadcaster had yet signed for the 2026 World Cup.

Sources

Quick answers

What happened in Zee enters talks with FIFA to acquire India broadcast and streaming rights for the 2026 World Cup?

Zee Entertainment said on May 26 it is in talks with FIFA to broadcast and stream the 2026 World Cup in India. Mint reported Zee plans four new sports channels, including Unite8 Sports, as the company ties its FIFA bid to a wider sports push. FIFA’s 2026 World Cup begins on June 12 in North America; any India rights announcement would come from FIFA and Zee.

Why does Zee enters talks with FIFA to acquire India broadcast and streaming rights for the 2026 World Cup matter?

Zee Entertainment said on May 26 that it is in talks with FIFA to acquire the Indian television and streaming rights for the 2026 World Cup, a tournament that begins on June 12 in the United States, Mexico and Canada. The disclosure came in a company statement cited by Mint and the Economic Times after weeks of uncertainty over who would carry the tournament in one of football’s largest media markets. Reuters had reported earlier in May that FIFA was still trying to close a deal in India after talks with other broadcasters stalled. Why was India’s World Cup rights market still unresolved so close to kickoff? Reuters reported on May 18 that FIFA media-rights officials were in India to try to secure a deal because no broadcaster had yet signed for the 2026 World Cup. That report said FIFA had been seeking about $100 million for the combined India rights to the 2026 and 2030 World Cups, while Reliance-Disney’s offer was significantly lower, according to sources familiar with the talks. (livemint.com) The Economic Times and Mint both said the lack of a signed India broadcaster had created uncertainty for viewers with the tournament less than three weeks away. Mint also reported last week that JioHotstar had failed to reach an agreement with FIFA, leaving the market open for another bidder. (economictimes.indiatimes.com) What exactly has Zee said? Zee said in a statement carried by Mint that it is “in talks” with FIFA to broadcast and stream World Cup matches in India. The company did not say whether an agreement had been signed, what price was under discussion, or whether the package would include only 2026 or a broader cycle of rights. (economictimes.indiatimes.com) The wording matters because it stops short of a formal award. As of May 27, the public reporting from Mint and the Economic Times describes discussions, not a completed rights announcement from FIFA. (livemint.com) How does this connect to Zee’s sports-channel plans? Mint reported on May 26 that Zee paired the FIFA disclosure with plans to launch four new sports channels. One of those channels is Unite8 Sports, according to the report, which said the network is building a broader sports offering rather than treating the World Cup as a one-off event. (livemint.com) The Economic Times also said Zee is launching new sports channels that will carry multiple sports, including football. That report framed the FIFA talks as part of Zee’s effort to expand its sports broadcasting presence in India. (livemint.com) Why does the timing matter for advertisers and distributors? June 12 is the opening date of the 2026 World Cup, leaving little time for a winning broadcaster to finalize carriage, marketing and ad sales. Reuters said earlier this month that the late timing risked compressing the work needed to set up broadcast infrastructure and sell inventory in India. (economictimes.indiatimes.com) The 2022 World Cup rights in India were announced about 14 months before the tournament, according to Reuters reporting cited by the Economic Times. This time, the process has run much closer to kickoff. (economictimes.indiatimes.com) What should viewers watch for next? FIFA and Zee are the two named parties in the current talks, and any next step would most likely be a formal rights announcement or a joint confirmation of television and streaming arrangements in India. Mint reported that the company had already publicly acknowledged the discussions on May 26. (economictimes.indiatimes.com) June 12 is now the hard deadline in practical terms. Before then, the market still needs clarity on which Zee channels or platforms would carry matches in India, whether the rights package includes both broadcast and streaming, and whether FIFA confirms a final agreement. (livemint.com)