With the 2026 FIFA World Cup just weeks away, uncertainty over India’s broadcast rights continues amid legal intervention and concerns over free-to-air access for football fans.
IMAGE: The FIFA World Cup trophy on display at Estadio BBVA, Monterrey, Mexico, March 14, 2026. Photograph: Daniel Becerril/Reuters
India’s Zee Entertainment is in talks with the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) to stream the 2026 World Cup in the country, the company said on Tuesday.
Key Points
- The announcement comes after months of uncertainty over the India rights.
- The uncertainty around the broadcast rights had also reached the courts earlier this month.
- The 2026 World Cup will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19.
The announcement, which provided no financial details, comes as talks between a Reliance-Disney joint venture and the football body are at a deadlock, just weeks before the tournament kicks off on June 11.
FIFA, which had initially sought $100 million for broadcast rights for the 2026 and 2030 World Cups in India, was last looking for no less than about $60 million, Reuters had reported.
The expected amount still far exceeds the $20 million offered by Reliance-Disney, led by billionaire Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance.
Sony decline to make offer for FIFA rights in India
Sony also held talks but decided not to make an offer for FIFA rights for India.
FIFA has concluded agreements with broadcasters in more than 180 territories globally, it said previously.
Zee Entertainment disclosed its talks with FIFA as part of its launch of Unite8 Sports, a dedicated portfolio of sports channels to strengthen its sports offerings to consumers.
India accounted for 2.9% of the global linear TV reach of the World Cup in 2022.
The announcement comes after months of uncertainty over the India rights, with no broadcaster officially onboard despite the tournament being a few months away.
The 2026 World Cup will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19.
The uncertainty around the broadcast rights had also reached the courts earlier this month, when the Delhi High Court issued notices to the Centre and Prasar Bharati on a petition seeking directions to ensure the tournament remained accessible to viewers in India through public broadcasting platforms such as Doordarshan and DD Sports.
The 2026 edition will be the first FIFA World Cup to feature 48 teams and 104 matches. The previous edition in Qatar in 2022, won by the Argentina national football team led by Lionel Messi, was streamed in India on JioCinema and broadcast on Sports18.
