Ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026, ZEE5 introduced dedicated subscription packs for football fans looking to stream the tournament in India. The FIFA World Cup 2026 + All Access plans provide live access to every match on ZEE5, alongside the platform’s entire content catalogue.
The streaming service is offering the pack in two variants: a three-month subscription priced at Rs 799 and an annual plan costing Rs 1,699. Existing ZEE5 subscribers can also upgrade their current plans to a FIFA-supported package to watch the tournament live. Importantly, not all ZEE5 subscriptions include FIFA World Cup access by default, requiring users to opt for the dedicated FIFA plans.
However, the plans soon became the subject of controversy.
Several users alleged that while purchasing the FIFA packs, they were promised access across three devices simultaneously. Hours before the tournament’s kick-off, subscribers claimed the benefits had been altered, with the plans reflecting support for only one device instead.
The apparent change sparked outrage on social media, with football fans accusing the platform of modifying key subscription terms after consumers had already signed up or upgraded their plans. Many shared screenshots of the revised benefits and questioned the timing of the move, particularly ahead of one of the world’s biggest sporting events.
So basically @ZEE5India Scammed everyone to take a subscription for 3 devices for 3 months for ₹799 and on the day of FIFA World Cup opening changed it to ONE device .
Not fair at all.. #fifa #worldcup2026 #india #letsfootball pic.twitter.com/ArObxn6MaL
— Angam (@Nchuireingam) June 11, 2026
Bought the ₹799 FIFA World Cup plan for 3 devices, but now it’s showing only 1 device. Why am I not getting what I paid for? Please resolve this ASAP.#ZEE5 #CustomerSupport pic.twitter.com/WX9MgGU1Yh
— Santayo Kundu (@kundu_Santayo1) June 12, 2026
Hey @ZEE5India yesterday i purchased the quarterly FIFA WC PACK OF 799
Right before purchase it showed that bought until tonight l’ll be able to access 3 devices using it
I have photo of it as a proof
But just right after my purchase it shows 1 devices only
Could you please check pic.twitter.com/TIYWAcKtII— Devansh Kedia (@DevanshKedia7) June 12, 2026
Following the backlash, ZEE5 restored the plans to their originally advertised terms, reinstating the multi-device access that users said had initially been promised.
Hi Football Fan,
You will get access as promised. Now continue to access FIFA World Cup 2026 in up to 3/4 devices under the Rs799/ 1699 plan. Enjoy the games as Poora India Watchega.— ZEE5Official (@ZEE5India) June 11, 2026
The controversy comes after Zee Entertainment acquired the India broadcast rights for the FIFA World Cup 2026, which is being hosted across the United States, Mexico and Canada. While matches will air on the newly launched Unite8 Sports television channels, ZEE5 remains the exclusive digital streaming destination for the tournament in India.
