FIFA World Cup 2026 Opening Viewership Numbers Take Steep Fall On Zee Network

Last Updated:June 21, 2026, 01:36 IST

The viewership numbers for the 2026 edition of the tournament's opening three matches have witnessed a sharp fall as compared to the previous iteration.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup has made a sluggish start in terms of television viewership on Zee Network, with ratings for the tournament’s opening three matches falling sharply compared to the previous edition.

The first three games have generated an average TVR of 0.27, a significant decline from the 0.78 average achieved by Sports18 at the same stage of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, representing a drop of 64 per cent.

The disappointing numbers come despite Zee Network’s extensive coverage strategy, which has seen matches broadcast across seven channels to ensure wider accessibility for football audiences throughout India. The broadcaster’s late acquisition of the tournament rights, secured only shortly before the competition began, may have contributed to the muted response. Nevertheless, the early ratings have sparked concerns about the level of engagement among Indian viewers for the world’s premier football tournament.

The lacklustre viewership contrasts sharply with the excitement produced on the pitch during the opening week. Tournament debutants Cape Verde delivered one of the biggest surprises by holding favourites Spain to a scoreless draw. Elsewhere, Australia and Scotland recorded victories over Turkiye and Haiti respectively, while DR Congo earned a notable result by forcing Portugal to share the points.

Several star players have also made headlines with standout displays. Lionel Messi equalled the FIFA World Cup’s all-time scoring record as Argentina began their campaign strongly. Erling Haaland marked his tournament debut with two goals, while Kylian Mbappé scored a brace to become France’s leading men’s goalscorer in World Cup history.

With many of the competition’s biggest fixtures still to be played, Zee Network will be optimistic that increasing interest, coupled with more memorable performances and unexpected results, will help drive stronger television audiences as the tournament progresses.

(With Inputs From Agencies)

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