Broadcaster Zee secures rights for World Cup in India

NEW DELHI: Zee Entertainment Enterprises has secured the Indian broadcast and streaming rights for the 2026 and 2030 football World Cup, the company said Monday, ending weeks of uncertainty for hundreds of millions of fans.

The deal comes after prolonged negotiations that had left the tournament’s telecast in limbo, with concerns that fans in India could miss out on the global competition.

Broadcasters in India and across Asia had been cautious about bidding for the rights, citing worries that late-night kickoff times in the region would hurt viewership and advertising revenues.

The World Cup, to be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, kicks off on June 11.

“We are excited to bring one of the world’s biggest sporting spectacles to Indian audiences,” said Zee chief executive Punit Goenka.

“Our partnership with FIFA will enable us to unlock the true value of the sport… while amplifying the excitement of the game for every fan,” he added.

Zee did not disclose the value of the deal, which also includes rights to broadcast 38 other FIFA events in India between 2026 and 2034.

FIFA had reportedly sought around $100 million for the rights to the 2026 and 2030 tournaments, a valuation that drew few bidders in the Indian market, according to local media.

FIFA Chief Business Officer Romy Gai said India remained a key growth market for the sport.

“The FIFA World Cup is the greatest show on earth, and we are glad to partner with ‘Z’ for the first time to bring this global spectacle to India,” he was quoted as saying in the statement.

India, the world’s most populous nation with 1.4 billion people, are not playing at the World Cup.