‘Z’ partners FIFA, set to broadcast FIFA World Cup 2026, 2030 and 39 global events

Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd ('Z') has announced a landmark partnership with Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) to bring 39 major global football events to Indian audiences over the next several years, marking one of the biggest sports broadcasting deals in the company’s history.

Under the agreement, ‘Z’ will broadcast key FIFA tournaments, including the FIFA World Cup 2026™, FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027™, and FIFA World Cup 2030™, along with a wide range of youth and development tournaments and documentary content through 2034.

The company will showcase FIFA events for eight consecutive years, from 2026 to 2034, positioning itself as a major destination for global football content in India.

'Festival of Football' to begin in 2026

‘Z’ announced that its “Festival of Football” will kick off on June 11, 2026, featuring exclusive coverage across its sports channels and digital platform Zee5. The World Cup 2026™ will mark the beginning of a long-term football content strategy for the broadcaster.

Dedicated sports channels to be launched

To strengthen its sports ecosystem, ‘Z’ will launch four dedicated channels under the Unite8 Sports brand:

• Unite8 Sports 1
• Unite8 Sports 1 HD
• Unite8 Sports 2
• Unite8 Sports 2 HD

These channels will carry live matches, studio shows, and football-related content across multiple languages, aiming to expand football viewership across India.

Extensive FIFA content portfolio

As part of the deal, ‘Z’ will broadcast a wide range of FIFA tournaments, including:

• FIFA Men’s U-17 and U-20 World Cups (multiple editions till 2034)
• FIFA Women’s U-17 and U-20 World Cups
• FIFA Futsal World Cups (men’s and women’s editions)
• FIFA Intercontinental Cup
• FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027™
• FIFA World Cup 2026™ and 2030™

The company will also air documentary-style content showcasing grassroots football, cultural narratives, and behind-the-scenes stories from global tournaments.

Commenting on the strategic partnership, Punit Goenka, CEO, Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd said, “We are excited to bring one of the world’s biggest sporting spectacles to Indian audiences. Football cuts across regions and demographics, and the investments in garnering the media rights and launching dedicated sports channels, reflect our clear belief in its long-term potential. Our approach has been to invest in properties where we see current relevance and future growth potential. Our partnership with FIFA will enable us to unlock the true value of the sport in line with our sharp focus on growth and profitability, while amplifying the excitement of the game for every fan.”

Speaking about the partnership in India, Romy Gai, FIFA Chief Business Officer stated, “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. The Indian market is of strategic importance for FIFA as it displays immense potential driven by a young and passionate audience. We believe the extensive broadcast and digital distribution ecosystem of ‘Z’ coupled with their deep understanding of local viewers and multi-platform capabilities will play a pivotal role in expanding the reach of football with fans across every part of India.”

Business strategy and growth focus

‘Z’ said the partnership is part of its broader strategy to build a diversified sports portfolio and strengthen its presence in the “attention economy.” The company aims to:

• Grow its subscriber base across TV and digital platforms
• Expand advertising revenue opportunities
• Build stronger brand partnerships
• Tap into new audience segments

Speaking about the strategic rationale behind the investment, Mukund Galgali, Deputy CEO & Chief Financial Officer, Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd, said, “The partnership with FIFA marks a significant step in our journey to create a strong foundation in the sports ecosystem to drive long-term value creation. Football as a sport has tremendous under-leveraged potential in a country like India and we see a massive opportunity in unlocking its mass appeal for billions of viewers across the Nation. Our approach in the sports business is anchored in building a scalable and financially sustainable growth model through a disciplined capital allocation framework. We view sports as a powerful catalyst to unlock long-term economic and social value by translating the growing passion for sports to contribute meaningfully towards the Nation’s aspirations.”

Enhanced viewer experience

Zee5 will stream all major football events live, offering multi-language coverage and digital engagement features. The company emphasised its integrated TV and digital ecosystem as a key strength in delivering immersive sports experiences.

Vision for Indian football

The company linked its initiative to a broader goal of reviving India’s sporting culture, citing historical achievements in football and referencing inspirational thoughts of Swami Vivekananda on physical strength and youth empowerment.