FIFA and Zee Entertainment from India have reached an agreement for the broadcasting rights of the 2026 World Cup, resolving a prolonged negotiation deadlock over availability in a key market. The financial details of the deal were not disclosed, but FIFA had initially asked for around $100 million for the rights to the 2026 and 2030 World Cups before reducing the price to $60 million.
This deal marks Zee’s entry into India’s sports broadcasting sector, currently dominated by the Reliance-Disney partnership, JioStar, which holds broadcasting rights for major events like the Indian Premier League and the English Premier League.
The agreement was finalized just ten days before the tournament commences on June 11 in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Following the announcement, Zee’s stock saw a 7% increase in value.
JioStar, previously represented by Viacom18, had offered approximately $20 million for the rights to broadcast the 2022 World Cup but was turned down by FIFA. Sony, which had broadcasting rights for the 2014 and 2018 tournaments, engaged in discussions but did not submit a bid.
While Viacom18 paid about $60 million for the rights to the 2022 World Cup held in Qatar, a more favorable time zone for Indian viewers, this year’s matches will be aired late at night in India due to time differences, affecting broadcaster interest and complicating FIFA’s sales process.
The newly signed agreement covers 39 FIFA events spanning eight years until 2034, including the 2027 Women’s World Cup, as announced jointly by FIFA and Zee.
