Zee is the official broadcaster of the FIFA World Cup 2026 in India.
The countdown to the FIFA World Cup 2026 is almost over, and excitement among football fans is reaching fever pitch.
With the showpiece event just a night away, Zee Entertainment, the official broadcaster for the FIFA World Cup 2026 in India, has assembled a star-studded panel of football personalities to enhance its coverage. Thus, featuring a blend of World Cup winners, Indian football legends and renowned presenters to make the experience richer and more entertaining.
The FIFA World Cup 2026 begins on June 11 and will run until July 19, with the United States, Canada and Mexico jointly hosting the expanded 48-team competition.
With that said, let us take a look at the expert panel for the FIFA World Cup 2026 so far, which can be revealed exclusively by Khel Now, with the official announcement to come in 24 hours.
Who are there in Zee’s expert panel for the FIFA World Cup 2026?
Former Germany captain and goalkeeping great Oliver Kahn is the marquee name on Zee’s expert panel. A World Cup winner in 1990 and the only goalkeeper to win the Golden Ball at the FIFA World Cup after his performances in 2002, Kahn is regarded as one of the finest players to have played the position. However, Kahn will feature in the later part of the tournament while negotiations with England and Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler are also going on.
India might not be at the FIFA World Cup, but Indian football will have its own representatives at the grandest stage of football.
With the showpiece event just a night away, Zee Entertainment, the official broadcaster for FIFA World Cup 2026 in India, has strengthened its coverage plans by bringing together some of the biggest names in Indian football for its expert panel.
Former India head coach Igor Stimac is expected to be present for the matches during the group stage, while Indian football legend Bhaichung Bhutia will reportedly be part of the broadcaster’s coverage throughout the tournament. Indian football team goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu will be on the panel for some matches as well. Kerala Blasters head coach Ashley Westwood will join the squad as well.
Former India captain and legend Sunil Chhetri might also be a part of the expert panel, with the talks going on.
Former Indian women’s football team goalkeeper Aditi Chauhan will also be a part of this exciting ensemble. They will be joined by the likes of former India footballer Robin Singh; football expert Paul Masefield, who has been a household name in Indian football and the Indian Super League (ISL) for over 10 years now; and last but not at all the least, English journalist and presenter Seema Jaswal.
Seema Jaswal has worked with the BBC, the Premier League and the UEFA Champions League while establishing herself as one of ITV’s leading football presenters. She has covered the 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cups and UEFA Euro 2020, making history in Qatar as the first woman to present a men’s World Cup quarter-final for a UK broadcaster.
TV presenters Khuri Irani and Arjun Pandit will be a part of the panel as well.
List of Zee’s expert panel for FIFA World Cup 2026 so far:
- Oliver Kahn
- Igor Štimac
- Bhaichung Bhutia
- Gurpreet Singh Sandhu
- Ashley Westwood
- Aditi Chauhan
- Robin Singh
- Paul Masefield
- Seema Jaswal
- Khuri Irani
- Arjun Pandit
Zee secures FIFA rights after months of uncertainty
After prolonged negotiations and months of uncertainty surrounding the tournament’s broadcast in India, Zee Entertainment finally secured the FIFA media rights less than two weeks before kick-off. The agreement covers 39 FIFA competitions, including the 2026 and 2030 FIFA World Cups, the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup and multiple youth and futsal tournaments.
Matches from the World Cup will be telecast on Unite8 Sports channels and streamed live on ZEE5, ending speculation over where Indian fans could watch football’s biggest event.
However, the delayed rights deal also highlighted the commercial challenges of broadcasting the tournament in India. With the World Cup being hosted across the United States, Canada and Mexico, nearly 90 per cent of the 104 matches are scheduled to kick off between midnight and 6 AM IST. Those timings are far from ideal for television audiences and advertisers, making it difficult for broadcasters to generate strong advertising revenue.
The absence of the Indian men’s national team from the competition has further reduced the tournament’s commercial appeal in the country. Industry reports suggest broadcasters struggled to recover their investments during the 2022 FIFA World Cup despite record viewership, prompting a cautious approach in negotiations this time. FIFA’s initial asking price was considered commercially unviable before both parties eventually reached an agreement.
Despite these challenges, Indian football fans will now have complete access to the tournament, with Zee aiming to boost engagement through extensive live coverage and an expert panel.
This is a developing story.. we will add names as they are confirmed…
Who are part of Zee’s FIFA World Cup 2026 expert panel?
Former India head coach Igor Štimac will reportedly cover the group stage, while Bhaichung Bhutia is expected to feature throughout the tournament.
When will the FIFA World Cup 2026 take place?
The tournament is scheduled to begin on June 11, 2026, and conclude with the final on July 19, 2026.
Where can fans in India watch the FIFA World Cup 2026?
The matches will be broadcast on Unite8 Sports channels and streamed live on ZEE5.
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