Home / Sports / FIFA World Cup 2026 Kicks Off With Global Stars
FIFA World Cup 2026 Kicks Off With Global Stars
12 Jun
Summary
- Spectacular opening ceremony held at Mexico City's Estadio Azteca.
- Mexico faces South Africa in the tournament's opening match.
- Selected matches available free-to-air in India on DD Sports.
The FIFA World Cup 2026 commenced with a vibrant opening ceremony at Mexico City's Estadio Azteca, celebrating music and culture. Global artists like Shakira and Burna Boy performed, setting the stage for the tournament's kickoff. The opening match saw host nation Mexico compete against South Africa, drawing worldwide attention to the first 48-team World Cup, jointly hosted by Mexico, the United States, and Canada. This historic event is a significant moment for international football.
In India, Zee Entertainment secured broadcasting rights for the FIFA World Cup 2026 across its sports network, including 38 additional FIFA tournaments through 2034. To enhance its sports coverage, Zee launched four new sports channels: Unite8 Sports 1, Unite8 Sports 1 HD, Unite8 Sports 2, and Unite8 Sports 2 HD. Digital streaming is available on ZEE5 with a 3-month plan for Rs 799 or an annual plan for Rs 1,699.
Further enhancing accessibility, Doordarshan Sports (DD Sports) announced free-to-air coverage of selected matches on DD Free Dish. This includes the opening match between Mexico and South Africa on June 12, all four quarter-finals, both semi-finals on July 15 and 16, and the final on July 20. This offers Indian fans multiple avenues to experience the excitement of the FIFA World Cup 2026.
