FIFA President Gianni Infantino issued a public message thanking Zee TV for its role in promoting football across India on the eve of the World Cup final.
The partnership highlights FIFA's strategic interest in India, a nation with a massive population and a growing interest in the sport. By expanding broadcast reach and community screenings, FIFA aims to cultivate a new generation of players and fans in the region.
Infantino said the broadcaster has an extensive commitment to the sport, noting that the partnership covers 39 FIFA competitions [1]. He praised the efforts of Zee TV to bring the game to a wider audience through strategic coverage and public viewing events.
The FIFA President also referenced India's history of hosting major events. He cited the 2017 U-17 World Cup in India, which saw a record attendance of 1.3 million fans [2]. This level of engagement serves as a benchmark for the potential growth of the game within the country.
As the 2026 tournament reaches its conclusion, the scale of the event has been immense. A total of 6.5 million fans have attended matches throughout the tournament leading up to the final between Spain and Argentina [2].
Infantino said he hopes that India will eventually qualify for a future World Cup. The partnership with Zee TV is expected to continue through upcoming major events, including the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup [2].
By focusing on the Indian market, FIFA is attempting to diversify its global footprint beyond traditional football strongholds in Europe and South America. The organization is leveraging media partnerships to ensure the sport's visibility increases in Asia.
“The partnership covers 39 FIFA competitions.”
FIFA's public endorsement of Zee TV signals a concerted effort to penetrate the Indian sports market. By emphasizing historical attendance numbers and future tournament cycles, FIFA is positioning India as a critical growth frontier for the sport's global commercial and athletic expansion.
