Following the announcement of a long-term partnership between FIFA and Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd., football fans in India are now searching for details about the newly announced sports channels that will carry FIFA competitions over the coming years.
Zee has confirmed the launch of four dedicated sports channels — Unite8 Sports 1, Unite8 Sports 1 HD, Unite8 Sports 2, and Unite8 Sports 2 HD — as part of its strategy to become a major destination for football coverage in India. The channels are expected to play a key role in the broadcaster’s coverage of the FIFA World Cup 2026, FIFA World Cup 2030, FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 and several other FIFA tournaments through 2034.
At the time of writing, channel numbers, DTH platform availability, cable TV carriage agreements, launch dates and subscription pricing have not yet been officially announced. We expect more details to be revealed closer to the launch of the channels.
FIFA on Unite8 Sports – Quick Facts
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Broadcaster | Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd. |
| Sports Channels | Unite8 Sports 1, Unite8 Sports 1 HD, Unite8 Sports 2, Unite8 Sports 2 HD |
| Streaming Platform | Zee5 |
| FIFA Rights Period | 2026 – 2034 |
| FIFA World Cup 2026 | Confirmed |
| FIFA World Cup 2030 | Confirmed |
| FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 | Confirmed |
| DTH Availability | Awaiting Announcement |
| Cable TV Availability | Awaiting Announcement |
| Channel Pricing | Awaiting Announcement |
| Expected Coverage Period | 2026 to 2034 |
Which FIFA Events Are Included?
Under the agreement, Zee has secured rights to broadcast 39 FIFA events between 2026 and 2034.
Loading ...These include:
- FIFA World Cup 2026
- FIFA World Cup 2030
- FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027
- FIFA Men’s U-17 World Cup (2026–2034)
- FIFA Women’s U-17 World Cup (2026–2034)
- FIFA U-20 Men’s World Cup
- FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup
- FIFA Futsal Men’s World Cup
- FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup
- FIFA Intercontinental Cup
- FIFA documentary and special programming
Will Unite8 Sports Be Available on DTH and Cable TV?
While Zee has officially announced the channels, distribution details have not yet been revealed.
Football fans are expected to see future announcements regarding availability on major television platforms including:
- Tata Play
- Airtel Digital TV
- Dish TV
- Sun Direct
- d2h
- Local Cable TV Networks
Once official channel numbers become available, this page will be updated with platform-wise availability information.
FAQ
Is FIFA World Cup 2026 available on Star Sports?
No. Based on the current FIFA-Zee agreement, FIFA World Cup 2026 coverage in India is expected to be available through Unite8 Sports channels and Zee5.
Is FIFA World Cup 2026 available on JioHotstar?
No. The current FIFA rights agreement announced by Zee Entertainment Enterprises covers television and digital distribution through its own platforms, including Zee5.
Is the FIFA World Cup 2026 broadcast rights deal confirmed?
Yes. Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd. has officially announced a long-term agreement with FIFA covering multiple tournaments from 2026 to 2034, including the FIFA World Cup 2026 and FIFA World Cup 2030.
Which channels will show FIFA World Cup 2026 in India?
Zee has announced four dedicated sports channels:
- Unite8 Sports 1
- Unite8 Sports 1 HD
- Unite8 Sports 2
- Unite8 Sports 2 HD
Will FIFA World Cup 2026 be streamed online in India?
Yes. Zee has confirmed that the tournaments will also be available through Zee5.
What is the price of Unite8 Sports channels?
No official pricing information has been announced yet.
What are the channel numbers of Unite8 Sports 1 and Unite8 Sports 1 HD?
Channel numbers have not been announced. Availability on Tata Play, Airtel Digital TV, Dish TV, Sun Direct and other platforms is still awaited.
When will Unite8 Sports channels launch?
Zee has announced the channels, but an exact launch date has not yet been revealed.
