The FIFA World Cup 2026 broadcast in India airs on Zee’s four Unite8 Sports channels and streams on ZEE5.
Here’s every channel, what streaming costs, and the IST kick-off times.
Watch on TV: Unite8 Sports Channels
Zee Entertainment holds the exclusive India broadcast and digital rights for the FIFA World Cup 2026, part of a long-term FIFA deal running through 2034.
Television coverage runs across four Unite8 Sports channels:
- Unite8 Sports 1 and 1 HD — Hindi commentary
- Unite8 Sports 2 and 2 HD — English commentary
Commentary is offered in four languages — English, Hindi, Malayalam and Bangla — with regional feeds on Zee Keralam and Zee Bangla Sonar. Tamil, Telugu and Kannada are not available.
Channel Numbers by Provider
The Unite8 Sports channels are carried on the major DTH and cable platforms. Channel numbers are set by each provider and may change:
| Provider | Sports 1 | Sports 1 HD | Sports 2 | Sports 2 HD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airtel Digital TV | 300 | 301 | 302 | 303 |
| Tata Play | 495 | 494 | — | — |
| Dish TV | 632 | 631 | 634 | 633 |
| Videocon d2h | 503 | 502 | 559 | 558 |
If a channel doesn’t appear, search “Unite8” in your set-top box guide or contact your provider.
Watch Online: ZEE5 Streaming and Prices
To watch all 104 matches, you’ll need a paid option — the Unite8 Sports channels on TV, or ZEE5 streaming.
ZEE5 carries all 104 matches live across phone, laptop and smart TV. Its World Cup pack, as of June 2026:
- Rs 799 — 3 months, up to 3 screens (with ads)
- Rs 1,699 — 1 year, up to 4 screens (ad-free)
Prices can change, so confirm on the ZEE5 site before subscribing. Given the overnight kick-offs, streaming is the realistic choice for most fans.
Match Timings in India
Most games fall in the small hours for Indian fans. With all host cities across the United States, Canada and Mexico, kick-offs land roughly between 9:30 PM and 9:30 AM IST.
The opening match kicked off at 12:30 AM IST on 12 June, and the final is at 12:30 AM IST on 19 July. For every fixture in IST, see our FIFA World Cup 2026 India time guide.
Still deciding whether to travel? Check whether Indian fans can still make it and flights from India.
Watch at a Sports Bar Near You
Prefer a crowd? These sports bars screen football regularly and will run the big games. Because kick-offs fall past midnight, call ahead to confirm late screenings — especially for knockout nights and the final.
- Amoeba Sports Bar — Phoenix Marketcity, Kurla
- The Bar Stock Exchange — Kamala Mills, Lower Parel
- Havana Café & Bar — Gordon House Hotel, Colaba
- Geoffrey’s — Hotel Marine Plaza, Churchgate
- Underdoggs — multiple outlets across the city
- The Local — Connaught Place
- Game of Legends — City Square Mall
- Buffalo Wild Wings — one of the city’s largest screening venues
- Big Pitcher — Old Airport Road
- Xtreme Sports Bar — Indiranagar
- Jeff’s — Royal Orchid, Manipal Centre
For organised public viewing, see our World Cup 2026 fan zones guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the FIFA World Cup 2026 free to watch in India?
Partly. A few marquee matches air free on DD Sports, while all 104 matches need a paid ZEE5 subscription or the Unite8 Sports channels. See our free-viewing guide for the full list of free matches.
What time do the matches start in India?
Most kick-offs fall between roughly 9:30 PM and 9:30 AM IST. The opening match and the final both start at 12:30 AM IST. See our India time guide for every fixture in IST.
How much does the ZEE5 World Cup pack cost?
As of June 2026, ZEE5’s FIFA World Cup 2026 + All Access pack is Rs 799 for 3 months (up to 3 screens, with ads) or Rs 1,699 for a year (up to 4 screens, ad-free). Confirm current prices on the ZEE5 site.
Can I stream every match online?
Yes. All 104 matches stream live on the ZEE5 app and website with an active subscription, across phone, laptop and smart TV.
Are sports bars open for the late kick-offs?
Not always. Many close before the overnight slots, so call ahead. Most will run special late screenings for the bigger group games and the knockout rounds.
Where to stay: Heading to the tournament in person? Compare hotels in New York, hotels in Los Angeles and hotels in Dallas across the host cities.
Sources
- Al Jazeera — Zee Signs FIFA World Cup 2026 Broadcast Deal
- Outlook India — Unite8 Channels and Commentary
- ZEE5 — FIFA World Cup 2026 + All Access Pack
- Business Today — ZEE5 Plans, Prices and Timings
- BestMediaInfo — Key Matches Free on DD Sports
- LatestLY — Unite8 DTH Channel Numbers
- FIFA — World Cup 2026 Official Site
Disclaimer: Match dates and kick-off times are subject to change by FIFA, and knockout-stage matchups will be confirmed only after the group stage ends. Broadcast channels, channel numbers and subscription prices are set by the providers and may change at any time. The featured image is for representation purposes only and is intended as a creative visual. It may not directly reflect the article content, match details, teams, venues, or supporters. Please verify all details against official FIFA and broadcaster sources before making any travel or viewing plans.
