Sports
FIFA World Cup 2026: Where to watch tournament in India, subscription price, experts panel, full schedule in IST & more – Firstpost
The 2026 FIFA World Cup did not have a broadcaster either in China or in India up until May, and would have caused panic within the Zurich-based governing body given they were facing the possibility of losing two of the biggest marks for the biggest edition of their showpiece event.
China Media Group was unveiled as the official broadcaster in China while the drama surrounding the World Cup media rights in India finally came to an end earlier this month. Zee Entertainment were later unveiled as the Indian broadcasters on 1 June – just 10 days before the
opening game of the tournament between Mexico and South Africa – after signing an agreement with FIFA that runs until 2034.
Here’s everything you need to know about the coverage of the
inaugural 48-team FIFA World Cup that runs from 11 June to 19 July:
Where can I watch the 2026 FIFA World Cup in India?
The 2026 Fifa World Cup will be streamed live on the ZEE5 website and application and will be telecast live on the following channels – Unite8 Sports 1, Unite8 Sports 1 HD, Unite8 Sports 2, and Unite8 Sports 2 HD.
How much do I have to pay for watching the 2026 Fifa World Cup in India?
ZEE5 has introduced two special packages for fans hoping to watch the World Cup action live on the OTT platform – a three-month plan and an annual plan costing INR 799 and INR 1699 respectively. Both plans will offer fans access to the remaining content on the platform in addition to World Cup action, from Hollywood and Bollywood blockbusters to ZEE5 originals.
As for the Unite8 sports channels, monthly prices vary from INR 7 for Unite8 Sports 1 to INR 11 for Unite8 Sports 2 HD. Leading DTH service providers such as Tata Play and Airtel Digital TV.
Who will be the experts for the 2026 FIFA World Cup coverage in India?
Legendary goalkeeper Oliver Kahn, who was part of the German team that finished runners-up in the 2002 FIFA World Cup, is part of Zee Entertainment’s expert panel for the upcoming FIFA World Cup alongside Indian football icon Baichung Bhutia, current goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, ex-women’s goalkeeper Aditi Chauhan, and former Croatia and India coach Igor Stimac.
Here are all the individuals, including Indian and global football icons, who will be part of Zee5’s panel for the upcoming tournament: Oliver Kahn, Igor Štimac, Bhaichung Bhutia, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Ashley Westwood, Aditi Chauhan, Robin Singh, Paul Masefield, Seema Jaswal, Khuri Irani, Arjun Pandit
What is the schedule for the 2026 FIFA World Cup?
Here’s the full schedule of the 2026 FIFA World Cup with match venues and timings in IST:
Friday, June 12
Group A: Mexico vs South Africa, 12:30 AM IST – Mexico City
Group A: South Korea vs Czechia, 7:30 AM IST – Zapopan
Saturday, June 13
Group B: Canada vs Bosnia and Herzegovina, 12:30 AM IST – Toronto
Group D: USA vs Paraguay, 6:30 AM IST – Los Angeles
Sunday, June 14
Group B: Qatar vs Switzerland, 12:30 AM IST – Santa Clara
Group C: Brazil vs Morocco, 3:30 AM IST – New Jersey
Group C: Haiti vs Scotland, 6:30 AM IST – Foxboroug
Group D: Australia vs Turkey, 9:30 AM IST – Vancouver
Group E: Germany vs Curaçao, 10:30 PM IST – Houston
Monday, June 15
Group F: Netherlands vs Japan, 1:30 AM IST – Arlington
Group E: Ivory Coast vs Ecuador, 4:30 AM IST – Philadelphia
Group F: Sweden vs Tunisia, 7:30 AM IST – Guadalajara
Group H: Spain vs Cape Verde, 9:30 PM IST – Atlanta
Tuesday, June 16
Group G: Belgium vs Egypt, 12:30 AM IST – Seattle
Group H: Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay, 3:30 AM IST – Miami
Group G: Iran vs New Zealand, 6:30 AM IST – Los Angeles
Wednesday, June 17
Group I: France vs Senegal, 12:30 AM IST – New Jersey
Group I: Iraq vs Norway, 3:30 AM IST – Foxborough
Group J: Argentina vs Algeria, 6:30 AM IST – Kansas City
Group J: Austria vs Jordan, 9:30 AM IST – Santa Clara
Group K: Portugal vs DR Congo, 10:30 PM IST – Houston
Thursday, June 18
Group L: England vs Croatia, 1:30 AM IST – Arlington
Group L: Ghana vs Panama, 4:30 AM IST – Toronto
Group K: Uzbekistan vs Colombia, 7:30 AM IST – Mexico City
Group A: Czechia vs South Africa, 9:30 PM IST – Atlanta
Friday, June 19
Group B: Switzerland vs Bosnia and Herzegovina, 12:30 AM IST – Los Angeles
Group B: Canada vs Qatar, 3:30 AM IST – Vancouver
Group A: Mexico vs South Korea, 6:30 AM IST – Zapopan
Saturday, June 20
Group D: USA vs Australia, 12:30 AM IST – Seattle
Group C: Scotland vs Morocco, 3:30 AM IST – Foxborough
Group C: Brazil vs Haiti, 6:00 AM IST – Philadelphia
Group D: Turkey vs Paraguay, 8:30 AM IST – Santa Clara
Group F: Netherlands vs Sweden, 10:30 PM IST – Houston
Sunday, June 21
Group E: Germany vs Ivory Coast, 1:30 AM IST – Toronto
Group E: Ecuador vs Curaçao, 5:30 AM IST – Kansas City
Group F: Tunisia vs Japan, 9:30 AM IST – Guadalajar
Group H: Spain vs Saudi Arabia, 9:30 PM IST – Atlanta
Monday, June 22
Group G: Belgium vs Iran, 12:30 AM IST – Los Angeles
Group H: Uruguay vs Cape Verde, 3:30 AM IST – Miami
Group G: New Zealand vs Egypt, 6:30 AM IST – Vancouver
Group J: Argentina vs Austria, 10:30 PM IST – Arlington
Tuesday, June 23
Group I: France vs Iraq, 2:30 AM IST – Philadelphia
Group I: Norway vs Senegal, 5:30 AM IST – Toronto
Group J: Jordan vs Algeria, 8:30 AM IST – Santa Clara
Group K: Portugal vs Uzbekistan, 10:30 PM IST – Houston
Wednesday, June 24
Group L: England vs Ghana, 1:30 AM IST – Foxborough
Group L: Panama vs Croatia, 4:30 AM IST – Foxboroug
Group K: Colombia vs DR Congo, 7:30 AM IST – Zapopan
Thursday, June 25
Group B: Switzerland vs Canada, 12:30 AM IST – Vancouver
Group B: Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Qatar, 12:30 AM IST – Seattle
Group C: Morocco vs Haiti, 3:30 AM IST – Atlant
Group C: Scotland vs Brazil, 3:30 AM IST – Miami
Group A: South Africa vs South Korea, 6:30 AM IST – Guadalajara
Group A: Czechia vs Mexico, 6:30 AM IST – Mexico City
Friday, June 26
Group E: Curaçao vs Ivory Coast, 1:30 AM IST – Philadelphia
Group E: Ecuador vs Germany, 1:30 AM IST – New Jerse
Group F: Tunisia vs Netherlands, 4:30 AM IST – Kansas City
Group F: Japan vs Sweden, 4:30 AM IST – Arlington
Group D: Turkey vs USA, 7:30 AM IST – Los Angeles
Group D: Paraguay vs Australia, 7:30 AM IST – Santa Clara
Saturday, June 27
Group I: Norway vs France, 12:30 AM IST – Foxboroug
Group I: Senegal vs Iraq, 12:30 AM IST – Toronto
Group H: Cape Verde vs Saudi Arabia, 5:30 AM IST – Housto
Group H: Uruguay vs Spain, 5:30 AM IST – Zapopan
Group G: New Zealand vs Belgium, 8:30 AM IST – Vancouver
Group G: Egypt vs Iran, 8:30 AM IST – Seattle
Sunday, June 28
Group L: Panama vs England, 2:30 AM IST – New Jersey
Group L: Croatia vs Ghana, 2:30 AM IST – Philadelphia
Group K: Colombia vs Portugal, 5:00 AM IST – Miami
Group K: DR Congo vs Uzbekistan, 5:00 AM IST – Atlanta
Group J: Algeria vs Austria, 7:30 AM IST – Kansas City
Group J: Jordan vs Argentina, 7:30 AM IST – Arlington
2026 FIFA World Cup knockouts
Round of 32: June 28-July 3
Round of 16: July 4-July 7
Quarterfinals: July 9-July 11
Semifinals: July 14-15 – AT&T Stadium (Arlington, Texas) and Mecedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta)
Third-place match: July 18 – Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens
World Cup final: July 19 – MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
Frequently Asked Questions
Will India host any future FIFA World Cup matches?
India will not host any matches for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, as the tournament is being co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Indian football fans can watch the matches on Zee Entertainment’s newly launched Unite8 Sports channels and stream them on Zee5.
What is the prize money for the 2026 FIFA World Cup winner?
The winner of the 2026 FIFA World Cup will receive approximately $50 million USD. This prize money is part of a record total prize pool that has been significantly increased from previous tournaments.
How will the 48-team format impact game quality?
The 48-team format for the 2026 FIFA World Cup is the largest in the tournament’s history, featuring 104 matches across three host nations. This expansion has led to discussions about accessibility, sustainability, player welfare, and the commercialization of the sport.
First Published:
June 11, 2026, 06:31 IST
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