FIFA President Gianni Infantino thanked Zee TV for its partnership in promoting football in India ahead of the 2026 World Cup final [1].
The gesture highlights FIFA's strategic interest in expanding the game's footprint in South Asia, a region with a massive population but a historically dominant cricket culture.
Infantino said the broadcaster played a role in covering 39 FIFA competitions [1]. This partnership extends into the future and includes the 2027 Women's World Cup [1]. The FIFA president praised the network's efforts to bring the sport to Indian audiences through extensive coverage and community screenings [1].
Speaking on the eve of the final between Spain and Argentina on July 13, 2026, Infantino said there is growing enthusiasm for the sport within the country [2]. He said thousands of Indian supporters attended the 2026 tournament [3]. This follows a broader trend of engagement, as the total number of fans across the 2026 World Cup reached 6.5 million [3].
Infantino also referenced the historical success of football events in the region. He said the 2017 U-17 World Cup held in India saw a record attendance of 1.3 million fans [3].
By praising the current passion of Indian fans, the FIFA president expressed hope for the nation's future participation in the tournament. The focus on India represents a push to convert viewership and passion into competitive success on the global stage [2].
“FIFA President Gianni Infantino thanked Zee TV for its partnership in promoting football in India.”
FIFA's public endorsement of Indian viewership and its partnership with Zee TV suggests a long-term goal of diversifying the sport's commercial and competitive base. By leveraging high attendance figures from youth tournaments and the presence of thousands of fans at the 2026 World Cup, FIFA is signaling that India is a primary target for growth in the global football market.
