Zee Entertainment Secures FIFA World Cup Rights: A Major Market Win

Zee Entertainment has successfully obtained the rights to broadcast the 2026 FIFA World Cup and 38 other FIFA events up to 2034. This agreement resolves a protracted negotiation for one of the final major markets yet to secure a deal.

Although the financial details of the contract remain undisclosed, initial claims suggested FIFA sought approximately $100 million from the Indian market for the 2026 and 2030 World Cups. This figure was later reduced to $60 million, as previously reported by Reuters. The announcement came just days before the tournament is set to commence across the United States, Canada, and Mexico on June 11.

The competition for the broadcast rights was intense. India's leading sports broadcaster JioStar, a venture between Reliance and Disney, made a $20 million bid which FIFA rejected, according to earlier reports. Sony, which managed the rights for the 2014 and 2018 tournaments, also engaged in talks but ultimately did not submit a bid.

(With inputs from agencies.)