FIFA World Cup 2026: ZEE in Driver's Seat for a Deal to Broadcast, Stock surges 11 Per Cent as Plans for 4 Channels emerge!

In a major boost for Indian football fans just weeks before the tournament begins, Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd is in active discussions with FIFA to secure broadcast and streaming rights for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in India. The development comes as negotiations with other players have stalled over pricing.

The potential deal is expected to cover the 2026 World Cup, hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico starting June 11, and possibly the 2030 edition as well.

FIFA had initially sought a high amount for the India rights package but has lowered expectations due to limited interest and challenging match timings for Indian viewers, with most games falling between midnight and early morning IST.

Amid the uncertainty over Indian fans' watching the World Cup, ZEE has come in as a saviour. Jio Hotstar, the leading sports conglomerate in India are out of the race to broadcast the global event as ZEE has taken the driver's seat to seal a potential deal with the apex body of world football.

ZEE to launch Four New Channels!

Zee made the announcement on Tuesday as part of the launch of Unite8 Sports, a new portfolio of dedicated sports channels aimed at strengthening its presence in the sports broadcasting space. The company plans to roll out four linear channels - Unite8 Sports 1 and 1 HD in Hindi, and Unite8 Sports 2 and 2 HD in English - focusing on football, cricket, kabaddi, combat sports, and more.

Industry sources indicate a deal could be in the range of $30–35 million, which is around Rs 285 to Rs 330 crore. An official announcement is anticipated soon, potentially next week, resolving uncertainty for Indian viewers. India remains one of the last major markets without a confirmed broadcaster for the event.

Zee’s Return to Big-Ticket Sports Broadcasting

This move marks Zee’s re-entry into major sports rights acquisition. The company had previously held rights for several events but sold its Ten Sports network years ago. With the launch of Unite8 Sports, Zee aims to build a strong multi-sport platform across linear TV and its ZEE5 streaming service.

The 2026 World Cup will feature an expanded 48-team format with 104 matches. Although India is not participating, viewership is expected to be driven by global star power. A deal with Zee would ensure wide accessibility on both television and digital platforms, ending months of speculation for fans across the country.

Zee shares surged nearly 11% on Wednesday following the announcement, reflecting strong investor confidence in the company’s renewed push into sports broadcasting.