Zee Lands FIFA Soccer Rights for India Through 2034
According to a report from Variety, Zee Entertainment Enterprises has secured Indian broadcast and streaming rights to 39 FIFA soccer events covering 2026 to 2034. The deal, announced Monday and described as the first between Zee and FIFA, includes the FIFA World Cup 2026, FIFA World Cup 2030, and FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027, as well as age-group and futsal tournaments. Coverage begins June 11 with the 2026 World Cup opener on four newly launched linear sports channels — two in Hindi and two in English — and on Zee’s streaming platform ZEE5. Financial terms were not disclosed, though Variety reported that FIFA had previously sought around $100 million before lowering its ask to approximately $60 million, while India’s largest platform JioStar had offered $20 million and Sony had withdrawn. Zee executives expressed confidence in football’s potential in India, with CEO Punit Goenka calling the sport one of the world’s biggest spectacles and deputy CEO Mukund Galgali highlighting its “under-leveraged” appeal.
What’s reported
Zee Entertainment Enterprises secured rights to 39 FIFA events from 2026 to 2034.
Events include FIFA World Cup 2026, FIFA World Cup 2030, FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027, plus age-group and futsal tournaments.
Coverage begins June 11 with the FIFA World Cup 2026 opener.
Broadcast will be on four new linear sports channels: Unite8 Sports 1 and Unite8 Sports 1 HD (Hindi), Unite8 Sports 2 and Unite8 Sports 2 HD (English), and on ZEE5.
Financial terms were not disclosed.
Variety reported that FIFA had initially sought $100 million before revising to about $60 million; JioStar offered $20 million; Sony withdrew.
The deal is the first between Zee and FIFA.
Key figures
Punit Goenka, CEO of Zee Entertainment Enterprises
Romy Gai, FIFA’s chief business officer
Mukund Galgali, Zee’s deputy CEO and CFO
Sources: Variety
