Zee returns to FIFA World Cup streaming cap after social media outrage: ‘Pure robbery’ | Today’s news
Just hours before the FIFA World Cup 2026 kicks off, Zee Entertainment finds itself in the hot seat. Furious fans took to social media to attack the company for allegedly making last-minute changes to its advertised Zee5 subscription plans.
Zee, which owns the Indian broadcast rights to the tournament in the US, Mexico and Canada, is telecasting the matches on its new sports TV channels Unite8 and streaming them live on Zee5.
After a wave of outrage from subscribers over the sudden price change just before the opening whistle, Zee quickly backtracked to restore the original advertised plans.
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Zee Entertainment changed its FIFA World Cup subscription plans by limiting access to the device from three to one just before the tournament, sparking outrage among fans who felt they had been misled.
Fans took to social media to express their outrage, accusing Zee of “bait and switch” tactics and demanding transparency and fairness in pricing.
Zee quickly relented and reinstated the original subscription plans, although some users reported that restrictions remained specifically for watching the FIFA World Cup.
Although users can log in on multiple devices, they can only stream FIFA World Cup content on one device at a time.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is significant for Zee as it holds the broadcast rights to the event in India, offering a chance to capture a large football-watching audience amid ongoing problems with domestic football viewership.
Read also | FIFA World Cup 2026: 9 group stage matches you shouldn’t miss in the opening week
Controversy
Fans on social media claimed that many who had already purchased Zee5 subscriptions specifically for the tournament noticed that the platform had suddenly modified the subscription structure, limiting it to just one device from the earlier limit of three and conditions just before the opening match.
Enraged by the perceived bait-and-switch at the last minute, subscribers took to social media to express their outrage, demanding transparency and fair pricing.
“Zee 5 app limited to only 1 device (previously it was 3 devices) is one of the many heists committed during this World Cup. Milking the max… #FIFA26,” said a fan.
Another said, “What Zee Entertainment is doing is pure madness. They sold their plans for 3 devices and now they have taken it down to 1.”
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Several users also threatened to report the matter to the consumer court, saying: “Recently I signed up for Fifa+ all language plan 799 which was available for 3 devices. That’s why I signed up for it. Now only 1 device is showing. What is this? This is a real scam. It needs to be reported to the consumer court.”
“I subscribed to the 2026 FIFA World Cup plan for Rs 799 which was showing as 3 screens and now it suddenly dropped to just 1 screen. Why such a scam to rip off people? This can be legally brought to the consumer court. Fraud case!” another user claimed.
Quick turn to U
Faced with a rapidly escalating public relations crisis and a wave of fan fury, Zee Entertainment was quick to implement damage control.
The company has reportedly reversed the sudden changes and reinstated the original premium plans and streaming terms that were originally offered to football fans across the country.
However, one user claimed that the OTT platform has set a limit to only watch the World Cup and that the 3 device plan for other content remains unchanged.
“No they didn’t. Even though you can log in on 4 devices, you can only stream FIFA on 1 device at a time. 2-3 simultaneous streams are not possible,” the user tweeted alongside a screenshot of the Zee5 plan.
Read also | The 2026 FIFA World Cup is here. But do Indians watch their own football?
What does the Zee5 website say?
Zee5 was offering a subscription for 3 devices on ₹799a mentioned that the offer is only valid until tonight when LiveMint checked the site.
The OTT platform is likely to return to the controversial 1 device policy from June 12.
2026 FIFA World Cup
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is just hours away from kick-off, with one of the three hosts, Mexico, taking on South Africa in the draw at Mexico City’s historic Estadio Azteca.
Unlike previous editions, the 2026 FIFA World Cup will feature 48 teams for the first time, with up to 1,248 players enjoying their dream.
