For the first time in football history, the FIFA World Cup has thrown its doors open to 48 teams, and the 23rd edition is in full swing right now across the United States, Canada and Mexico. If you are an Indian fan trying to make sense of the new format, the late-night kick-offs and the brand-new broadcaster, here is everything you need to follow the world’s biggest sporting event without missing a beat.
The 2026 World Cup at a glance
The tournament kicked off on 11 June 2026 with hosts Mexico facing South Africa, and it builds towards the final on 19 July 2026 at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Three nations are sharing hosting duties for the first time, spreading 104 matches across 16 cities. The jump from 32 to 48 teams means more nations, more debutants and a longer road to the trophy than ever before.
How the new 48-team format works
The 48 teams are split into 12 groups of four. All 72 group-stage matches run from 11 June to 27 June. The top two teams from each group, plus the eight best third-placed teams, advance to a brand-new Round of 32. From there it is straight knockout football: Round of 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals and the final. The expanded format gives smaller footballing nations a genuine shot at the latter rounds, which is exactly the kind of unpredictability that makes a World Cup worth staying up for.
Where the tournament stands right now
As of late June, the group stage is reaching its decisive phase and qualification battles are heating up. Former champions France are pushing to seal a Round of 32 spot, while Norway can also book their place with another win. There is drama too: Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal find themselves under pressure after a disappointing draw in their opener, proving once again that no big name is safe in the group stage. Keep an eye on the third-place table as well, because with eight of those slots up for grabs, even a single point can decide who survives.
How to watch the World Cup in India
This is the big change for Indian fans in 2026. Zee has acquired the broadcast rights and launched a dedicated set of sports channels called Unite8 Sports. You can watch the matches on Unite8 Sports 1, Unite8 Sports 1 HD, Unite8 Sports 2 and Unite8 Sports 2 HD. For streaming, the matches are available live on the ZEE5 app and website. If you do not have a subscription, there is some good news: select matches, including all games from the quarter-finals onwards, are also being broadcast free on DD Sports.
A word on the late-night timings
Because the matches are being played across North American time zones, most kick-offs land late at night or in the early hours by Indian Standard Time. Evening games in the Americas typically translate to post-midnight viewing in India, so it is worth checking the daily fixture list before planning your sleep schedule. Weekend matches are the easiest to follow without sacrificing a working Monday.
Teams and players to watch
The usual heavyweights — defending interest from France, Argentina, Brazil, England, Spain and Portugal — will dominate the headlines. But the beauty of a 48-team World Cup is the rise of the underdogs, and the expanded field guarantees a few giant-killings before the knockouts are done. For neutral Indian fans without a home team in the mix, this is the year to adopt an unlikely nation and ride the chaos.
The bottom line
The 2026 World Cup is bigger, longer and more open than any before it. With Zee’s Unite8 Sports and ZEE5 carrying the action, plus DD Sports stepping in from the quarter-finals, Indian fans have more ways than ever to tune in. Set your alarms, pick a team, and enjoy a month of football that runs all the way to 19 July.
