Zee Entertainment Enterprises from India is currently in talks with FIFA to acquire the rights for streaming and broadcasting the 2026 FIFA World Cup in India. This announcement came on Tuesday.
This development is quite important for India’s sports broadcasting scene, especially since discussions between FIFA and the Reliance-Disney partnership have stalled. The tournament is just weeks away, starting on June 11, 2026.
Initially, FIFA aimed to sell the broadcasting rights for India at around $100 million, covering both the 2026 and 2030 World Cups. However, they later adjusted their expectations and are now looking for at least $60 million. This new price still exceeds the $20 million proposal made by the Reliance-Disney consortium, which is led by Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Industries.
Sony Group Corporation from Japan also considered bidding for the Indian broadcasting rights but ultimately decided not to submit a formal offer.
Zee announced its negotiations with FIFA during the introduction of its new sports channel portfolio, “Unite8 Sports.” This initiative aims to boost the company’s sports content and reach a broader audience in India.
As the competition in India’s media and streaming space intensifies, Zee is keen on expanding its sports business since popular sports properties significantly contribute to gaining subscribers and advertising income.
FIFA has stated that it has already secured broadcast agreements in over 180 territories worldwide. However, the rights for India remain unaddressed, even with the growing football interest and digital audience in the country.
India represented 2.9% of the total global linear TV reach for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, highlighting the increasing importance of the Indian market for international football broadcasters and rights holders.
If Zee successfully acquires the rights, it would be a major step forward in sports broadcasting for the company, solidifying its position in India’s competitive sports media industry.
