India is close to finalising broadcast rights for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with Zee and Jio expected to be among the frontrunners to secure the television and digital rights for the tournament from FIFA.

Zee and Jio emerge as contenders

According to media reports, Zee and Jio are in contention to acquire the broadcast rights for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in India. The formal announcement regarding the rights holder is expected in the coming days.

The deal is reportedly valued between $30-35 million and would secure access to television and digital audiences across the country for the tournament.

Expanded World Cup to feature 48 teams

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. It will mark the first edition of the tournament to feature 48 teams, up from the previous 32.

As a result, the number of matches will increase significantly from 64 to 104, making it the biggest World Cup in the competition’s history.

India remains a key football broadcast market

Despite the national team’s struggles in international football, India continues to be an important market for global football broadcasters.

Football viewership in the country has grown steadily over the years, driven by strong interest in European leagues and FIFA World Cup coverage. Cities such as Kolkata, Kochi, Goa and Bengaluru remain major football hubs with large followings.

Global rights strategy sees shifts

According to reports, FIFA has adopted a more flexible commercial approach in certain Asian markets. China is understood to have secured rights for the 2026 World Cup at a significantly lower valuation compared to previous cycles.

The FIFA World Cup remains one of the most valuable sports broadcasting properties globally, particularly across major football markets.

Indian football faces challenges amid rights developments

The race for broadcast rights comes at a time when Indian football continues to face on-field and structural challenges.

India’s men’s national team has slipped in the FIFA rankings following a difficult run of results, while issues related to grassroots development, governance and competitive depth remain under focus within the domestic football ecosystem.

Two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Busch died Thursday from complications related to “severe pneumonia [that] progressed into sepsis,” according to a family statement obtained by FOX Sports on Saturday.

“The medical evaluation provided to the Busch Family concluded that severe pneumonia progressed into sepsis, resulting in rapid and overwhelming associated complications,” the statement, according to FOX Sports’ Bob Pockrass, read. 

This is a breaking news story. Check back for updates. 

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RCB’s Jacob Bethell and skipper Rajat Patidar (ANI Photo)

Jacob Bethell has cut short his IPL 2026 campaign with Royal Challengers Bengaluru after suffering a finger injury, creating fresh concern for England cricket team ahead of their upcoming Test series against New Zealand cricket team.The 22-year-old missed RCB’s final league game against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Friday, with captain Rajat Patidar confirming after the match that Bethell had injured his finger.Despite suffering a heavy 55-run defeat to SRH at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Bengaluru still finished the league stage at the top of the IPL 2026 table and secured a place in Qualifier 1. RCB are now set to face Gujarat Titans in Dharamshala on Tuesday.Bethell featured in seven matches during the campaign, scoring 96 runs while providing depth to RCB’s batting unit.However, the bigger concern now surrounds his availability for England’s first Test against New Zealand at Lord’s, beginning on June 4. Bethell had emerged as a strong contender to bat at number three after impressing during the Ashes earlier this year, including a brilliant century against Australia in January.The England and Wales Cricket Board confirmed on Saturday that Bethell would return home for further medical assessment.“The England and Wales Cricket Board has agreed with Royal Challengers Bangalore that top-order batter Jacob Bethell will return to the UK after sustaining a left ring finger injury while playing in the Indian Premier League,” the ECB said in a statement.The board also revealed that England’s medical team will closely monitor the young batter before making a decision on his availability for the Lord’s Test.“He will be fully assessed and monitored by the England Men’s medical team on his return to determine his availability for selection for the Rothesay first Test against New Zealand at Lord’s, starting on Thursday June 4.”Bethell’s injury now leaves England facing an anxious wait just days before the start of a crucial home summer.

The New Day’s WWE run came to an end when last month Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods announced their exit. Meanwhile, the duo’s departure has raised uncertainty, and Tyler Breeze recently addressed it.

After WrestleMania 42, Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods announced their exit from WWE and officially parted ways with the Stamford-based promotion. The decorated tag team’s departure did create a void in the tag team division, but there was hope that Woods might not go away entirely.

According to a report, the company was trying to cut a deal where Xavier Woods would work for them and cover content around their games. Speaking on Love Wrestling, Tyler Breeze was asked about the multi-time WWE Tag Team Champion and what’s next for UpUpDownDown.

The former NXT Tag Team Champion wasn’t able to give a straight answer, as he was not in the place to answer on behalf of Woods. However, Breeze, similar to the audience, isn’t sure what’s next for UpUpDownDown and uncertain on what’s next for the show.

“He’s just chilling, you know what I mean? Like, he’s been on the grind; business stuff happens. Not my place to talk on any of it. So, you saw as much as I saw, you know, where’s he at now, and that’s kind of where we’re at. So, I’ll be waiting to see the headlines when you see them as well,” Breeze said.

Why did The New Day decide to leave WWE?

In 2014, The New Day was created under WWE’s old regime, and the trio of Big E, Kofi Kingston, and Xavier Woods took over the tag team and singles division in the coming years. E and Kingston have won the WWE Championship in the past, and Woods has dominated tag team wrestling with the duo on different occasions.

According to reports, the duo of Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods were asked to restructure their deals, which they signed last year in the promotion. The two weren’t on the same page with the promotion and decided to leave instead of taking less pay.

The decision might benefit the legendary tag team, as several promotions, primarily AEW, are interested in the duo. It’ll be interesting to see what’s next for Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods in the industry following their exit.

If you use quotes from the article, please credit Love Wrestling and provide an H/T to Sportskeeda Wrestling for the transcription.