Watch FIFA World Cup 2026 live streams in India
The biggest World Cup to date is currently underway in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, and it’s delivering as expected. From Cape Verde holding the mighty Spain to a goalless draw and Lionel Messi scoring a hat-trick in his first game of the tournament, there’s drama aplenty. And there’s so much more action yet to come!
Luckily for football fans in India – who were left without an official broadcaster for months as negotiations dragged on, partly due to concerns over the late-night kick-off times – ZEE has finally struck a deal with FIFA to broadcast the 2026 World Cup.
But can you watch ZEE5 from anywhere in the world? And are there any free Indian streams? Follow our guide below for where to watch FIFA World Cup 2026 live streams in India, including free streams.
Latest Videos FromSwipe to scroll horizontallyHow to watch the World Cup 2026 in India
All 104 matches in the World Cup 2026 is being shown by ZEE, after it struck a last-minute deal with FIFA, which includes broadcasting rights for a total of 39 FIFA events from 2026 to 2034.
Cord-cutters can catch all the action live online via the ZEE5 website or mobile apps.
For TV users, Zee has launched four dedicated sports TV channels (Unite8 Sports 1, Unite8 Sports 1 HD, Unite8 Sports 2, and Unite8 Sports 2 HD TV).
There are two main plans to choose from. The Zee5 All Access + Sports plan costs Rs 799 for 3 months, while the Zee5 Premium plan is priced at Rs 1,699 per year. The latter includes streaming options at 4K Ultra HD, support for Dolby Atmos, and permission to stream on up to four devices simultaneously.
However, you can only access World Cup 2026 live streams on Zee5 with an Indian IP address. Abroad right now? Here’s how to unblock Zee5 from anywhere in the world…
Can I watch FIFA World Cup 2026 for free in India
Technically, yes. While DD Sports (through DD Free Dish) will be showing World Cup matches for free in India, they’ll only broadcast the quarterfinals, semi-finals, and final. Nothing more!
However, if you’re traveling in India during the World Cup, you can use a VPN to connect to a server in your usual country and watch free streams on the likes of BBC iPlayer in the UK, SBS in Australia and CazeTV’s YouTube channel in Brazil.
Here are the countries showing every game of the FIFA World Cup 2026 for free:
Watch FIFA World Cup 2026 live streams from anywhere
You won’t be able to watch your regular FIFA World Cup 2026 live streams on Zee5 while traveling outside India. The streaming service will spot that you’re in a foreign country and block you.
You can use a VPN (virtual private network) to get around this, though. It’s a straightforward piece of software that sets your device to appear as if it’s in a different country, allowing you to watch any local World Cup 2026 live stream from anywhere in the world.
We rate Norton VPN as one of the best VPN for streaming sport. It offers a best-in-class 60-day guarantee for all your money back if you’re not happy with the service.
Is ZEE5 the best way to watch World Cup 2026 in India?
Several issues have emerged with ZEE5 over the last couple of weeks. First, the platform sneakily reduced the number of simultaneous connections from three to one under its Rs 799/3-month plan, with the change even applying to existing subscribers.
However, following heavy backlash online, particularly on platforms like X, ZEE5 restored the plan to its original format. One X user (@Sooraj9847) even called it “The biggest scam in the history of Indian digital platforms”.
Users in India are also complaining that ZEE5 isn’t delivering the promised 4K video quality on its Rs 1,699 plan. Combined with a broadcast glitch during the Mexico vs South Africa opener, as well as ad cuts just seconds after the final whistle, this has led to considerable frustration among football fans in India.
Zee5 Brazil match glitched at 7:07 and then started back at 9:13, so we lost ~2 min of viewing time in a BRAZIL MATCH.WHAT IF THIS WAS A QF, SF OR HEAVEN FORBID THE FINAL!!Even if you wanted to rewind you cannot, Zee5 just BUFFERS BACK TO LIVEWHAT’S THE SUBSCRIPTION FOR?June 13, 2026
Thanks to Norton VPN, however, if you find yourself in India during the month-long World Cup, you can easily access free World Cup coverage from your home country, potentially even watching the games completely free if you’re usual based outside India
FIFA World Cup 2026 fixtures and dates
Click to see full fixture list
Wednesday, June 17
Portugal vs DR Congo (Group K): 1 p.m. ET / 10 a.m. PT / 6 p.m. BST
England vs Croatia (Group L): 4 p.m. ET / 1 p.m. PT / 9 p.m. BST
Ghana vs Panama (Group L): 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT / 12 a.m. BST (Thu.)
Uzbekistan vs Colombia (Group K): 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT / 3 a.m. BST (Thu.)
Thursday, June 18
Czechia vs South Africa (Group A): 12 p.m. ET / 9 a.m. PT / 5 p.m. BST
Switzerland vs Bosnia and Herzegovina (Group B): 3 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. PT / 8 p.m. BST
Canada vs Qatar (Group B): 6 p.m. ET / 3 p.m. PT / 11 p.m. BST
Mexico vs South Korea (Group A): 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT / 2 a.m. BST (Fri.)
Friday, June 19
USA vs Australia (Group D): 3 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. PT / 8 p.m. BST
Scotland vs Morocco (Group C): 6 p.m. ET / 3 p.m. PT / 11 p.m. BST
Brazil vs Haiti (Group C): 8:30 p.m. ET / 5:30 p.m. PT / 1:30 a.m. BST (Sat.)
Turkey vs Paraguay (Group D): 11 p.m. ET / 8 p.m. PT / 4 a.m. BST (Sat.)
Saturday, June 20
Netherlands vs Sweden (Group F): 1 p.m. ET / 10 a.m. PT / 6 p.m. BST
Germany vs Côte d’Ivoire (Group E): 4 p.m. ET / 1 p.m. PT / 9 p.m. BST
Ecuador vs Curaçao (Group E): 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT / 1 a.m. BST (Sun.)
Tunisia vs Japan (Group F): 12 a.m. ET (Sun.) / 9 p.m. PT / 5 a.m. BST (Sun.)
Sunday, June 21
Spain vs Saudi Arabia (Group H): 12 p.m. ET / 9 a.m. PT / 5 p.m. BST
Belgium vs Iran (Group G): 3 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. PT / 8 p.m. BST
Uruguay vs Cape Verde (Group H): 6 p.m. ET / 3 p.m. PT / 11 p.m. BST
New Zealand vs Egypt (Group G): 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT / 2 a.m. BST (Mon.)
Monday, June 22
Argentina vs Austria (Group J): 1 p.m. ET / 10 a.m. PT / 6 p.m. BST
France vs Iraq (Group I): 5 p.m. ET / 2 p.m. PT / 10 p.m. BST
Norway vs Senegal (Group I): 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT / 1 a.m. BST (Tue.)
Jordan vs Algeria (Group J): 11 p.m. ET / 8 p.m. PT / 4 a.m. BST (Tue.)
Tuesday, June 23
Portugal vs Uzbekistan (Group K): 1 p.m. ET / 10 a.m. PT / 6 p.m. BST
England vs Ghana (Group L): 4 p.m. ET / 1 p.m. PT / 9 p.m. BST
Panama vs Croatia (Group L): 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT / 12 a.m. BST (Wed.)
Colombia vs DR Congo (Group K): 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT / 3 a.m. BST (Wed.)
Wednesday, June 24
Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Qatar (Group B): 3 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. PT / 8 p.m. BST
Switzerland vs Canada (Group B): 3 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. PT / 8 p.m. BST
Morocco vs Haiti (Group C): 6 p.m. ET / 3 p.m. PT / 11 p.m. BST
Scotland vs Brazil (Group C): 6 p.m. ET / 3 p.m. PT / 11 p.m. BST
Czechia vs Mexico (Group A): 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT / 2 a.m. BST (Thu.)
South Africa vs South Korea (Group A): 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT / 2 a.m. BST (Thu.)
Thursday, June 25
Curaçao vs Côte d’Ivoire (Group E): 4 p.m. ET / 1 p.m. PT / 9 p.m. BST
Ecuador vs Germany (Group E): 4 p.m. ET / 1 p.m. PT / 9 p.m. BST
Japan vs Sweden (Group F): 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT / 12 a.m. BST (Fri.)
Tunisia vs Netherlands (Group F): 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT / 12 a.m. BST (Fri.)
Paraguay vs Australia (Group D): 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT / 3 a.m. BST (Fri.)
Turkey vs USA (Group D): 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT / 3 a.m. BST (Fri.)
Friday, June 26
Norway vs France (Group I): 3 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. PT / 8 p.m. BST
Senegal vs Iraq (Group I): 3 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. PT / 8 p.m. BST
Cape Verde vs Saudi Arabia (Group H): 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT / 1 a.m. BST (Sat.)
Uruguay vs Spain (Group H): 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT / 1 a.m. BST (Sat.)
Egypt vs Iran (Group G): 11 p.m. ET / 8 p.m. PT / 4 a.m. BST (Sat.)
New Zealand vs Belgium (Group G): 11 p.m. ET / 8 p.m. PT / 4 a.m. BST (Sat.)
Saturday, June 27
Croatia vs Ghana (Group L): 5 p.m. ET / 2 p.m. PT / 10 p.m. BST
Panama vs England (Group L): 5 p.m. ET / 2 p.m. PT / 10 p.m. BST
Colombia vs Portugal: 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT / 12:30 a.m. BST (Sun.)
DR Congo vs Uzbekistan: 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT / 12:30 a.m. BST (Sun.)
Algeria vs Austria: 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT / 3 a.m. BST (Sun.)
Jordan vs Argentina: 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT / 3 a.m. BST (Sun.)
Sunday, June 28 — Round of 32
Runner-up Group A vs Runner-up Group B: 3 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. PT / 8 p.m. BST
Monday, June 29 — Round of 32
Winner Group C vs Runner-up Group F: 1 p.m. ET / 10 a.m. PT / 6 p.m. BST
Winner Group E vs Third Place Group A/B/C/D/F: 4:30 p.m. ET / 1:30 p.m. PT / 9:30 p.m. BST
Winner Group F vs Runner-up Group C: 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT / 2 a.m. BST (Tue.)
Tuesday, June 30 — Round of 32
Runner-up Group E vs Runner-up Group I: 1 p.m. ET / 10 a.m. PT / 6 p.m. BST
Winner Group I vs Third Place Group C/D/F/G/H: 5 p.m. ET / 2 p.m. PT / 10 p.m. BST
Winner Group A vs Third Place Group C/E/F/H/I: 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT / 2 a.m. BST (Wed.)
Wednesday, July 1 — Round of 32
Winner Group L vs Third Place Group E/H/I/J/K: 12 p.m. ET / 9 a.m. PT / 5 p.m. BST
Winner Group G vs Third Place Group A/E/H/I/J: 4 p.m. ET / 1 p.m. PT / 9 p.m. BST
Winner Group D vs Third Place Group B/E/F/I/J: 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT / 1 a.m. BST (Thu.)
Thursday, July 2 — Round of 32
Winner Group H vs Runner-up Group J: 3 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. PT / 8 p.m. BST
Runner-up Group K vs Runner-up Group L: 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT / 12 a.m. BST (Fri.)
Winner Group B vs Third Place Group E/F/G/I/J: 11 p.m. ET / 8 p.m. PT / 4 a.m. BST (Fri.)
Friday, July 3 —Round of 32
Runner-up Group D vs Runner-up Group G: 2 p.m. ET / 11 a.m. PT / 7 p.m. BST
Winner Group J vs Runner-up Group H: 6 p.m. ET / 3 p.m. PT / 11 p.m. BST
Winner Group K vs Third Place Group D/E/I/J/L: 9:30 p.m. ET / 6:30 p.m. PT / 2:30 a.m. BST (Sat.)
Saturday, July 4 — Round of 16
TBC vs TBC: 1 p.m. ET / 10 a.m. PT / 6 p.m. BST
TBC vs TBC: 5 p.m. ET / 2 p.m. PT / 10 p.m. BST
Sunday, July 5 — Round of 16
TBC vs TBC: 4 p.m. ET / 1 p.m. PT / 9 p.m. BST
TBC vs TBC: 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT / 1 a.m. BST (Mon.)
Monday, July 6 – Round of 16
TBC vs TBC: 3 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. PT / 8 p.m. BST
TBC vs TBC: 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT / 1 a.m. BST (Tue.)
Tuesday, July 7 – Round of 16
TBC vs TBC: 12 p.m. ET / 9 a.m. PT / 5 p.m. BST
TBC vs TBC: 4 p.m. ET / 1 p.m. PT / 9 p.m. BST
Thursday, July 9 — Quarter-finals
TBC vs TBC: 4 p.m. ET / 1 p.m. PT / 9 p.m. BST
Friday, July 10 — Quarter-finals
TBC vs TBC: 3 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. PT / 8 p.m. BST
Saturday, July 11 — Quarter-finals
TBC vs TBC: 5 p.m. ET / 2 p.m. PT / 10 p.m. BST
TBC vs TBC: 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT / 2 a.m. BST (Sun.)
Tuesday, July 14 — Semi-finals
TBC vs TBC: 3 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. PT / 8 p.m. BST
Wednesday, July 15 — Semi-finals
TBC vs TBC: 3 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. PT / 8 p.m. BST
Saturday, July 18 — Third-place playoff
TBC vs TBC: 5 p.m. ET / 2 p.m. PT / 10 p.m. BST
Sunday, July 19 — Final
TBC vs TBC: 3 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. PT / 8 p.m. BST
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