FIFA President Gianni Infantino sent a thank-you message to Zee TV for its role in promoting football across India.
The gesture highlights FIFA's strategy to penetrate the Indian market, one of the world's most populous nations, as the organization seeks to expand the sport's global footprint beyond traditional strongholds.
Infantino said the broadcaster was praised for its partnership covering 39 FIFA competitions [1]. The collaboration aims to increase viewership through public screenings and encourage Indian support for international tournaments. According to industry reports, Zee's broadcast rights for FIFA events extend from 2026 through 2034 [5].
The message arrived on the eve of the FIFA World Cup 2026 final, which features a matchup between Spain and Argentina. Infantino said thousands of Indian supporters were among the tournament's fans [4].
To illustrate the growth of the game in the region, the FIFA president cited historical and current attendance figures. He said the 2017 U-17 World Cup in India saw a record attendance of 1.3 million fans [2]. This momentum has continued into the current cycle, with 6.5 million fans attending matches across this year's tournament [3].
By leveraging Zee TV's reach, FIFA intends to transition India from a nation of passive viewers to a hub of active football participation. The partnership focuses on making the sport more accessible to diverse demographics across the subcontinent through widespread media coverage, and community engagement.
“FIFA President Gianni Infantino sent a thank-you message to Zee TV for its role in promoting football across India.”
This partnership signals FIFA's long-term commitment to the Indian market, securing broadcast stability through 2034. By acknowledging the massive attendance figures of previous youth tournaments and the current World Cup, Infantino is validating India as a critical growth engine for the sport's commercial and cultural expansion.
