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What started as relief for Indian football fans has quickly turned into frustration, as Zee5 faces mounting backlash over its FIFA World Cup 2026 coverage.
After securing last-minute broadcast rights, Zee Entertainment’s move ensured that Indian viewers wouldn’t miss the global tournament. But fans now say the viewing experience has fallen far short of expectations, citing paywalls, ad overload, and poor-quality highlights.
A major point of contention is Zee5’s decision to lock even short match highlights and replays behind a separate World Cup subscription pack. Many users argue that highlights should be accessible without additional charges, especially for those already paying for existing Zee5 plans.
Several viewers took to social media to vent their frustration. One user said they would rather skip watching the tournament entirely than endure the current experience, while another accused the platform of uploading “Top Moments” videos that lacked actual gameplay footage.
Also read: FIFA’s hydration breaks draw boos as fans slam disruption to World Cup matches
Even paying users claim they are being overwhelmed with advertisements. Fans report sitting through long and frequent ad breaks, sometimes up to five minutes, to watch short highlight clips.
Some users alleged that highlight videos include multiple ad interruptions, each running for over a minute, sparking complaints about the value of paid subscriptions. The repeated ad breaks, even during archived content, have pushed some viewers to consider cancelling their subscriptions.
Dear Zee5
I know you have taken a vow to make it as difficult for us to watch the World Cup as possible but that doesn't mean you have to be so diabolical and pathetic.
When you upload a video called Top Moments on YouTube, it has to be of Top Moments. By that I mean Goals,…
— The Kaipullai (@thekaipullai) June 18, 2026
Dear Zee5
I know you have taken a vow to make it as difficult for us to watch the World Cup as possible but that doesn't mean you have to be so diabolical and pathetic.
When you upload a video called Top Moments on YouTube, it has to be of Top Moments. By that I mean Goals,…
Zee5’s highlight packages, especially on YouTube, have also come under criticism for allegedly relying on automated editing. Fans claim the clips miss key moments such as goals, instead showing crowd reactions and filler footage.
In one instance, viewers pointed out that highlights from a match reportedly excluded all major on-field action, raising questions over content curation. Many believe the edits lack human oversight and fail to capture the essence of the game.
The latest criticism builds on earlier complaints around buffering problems, broadcast glitches during the opening match, and confusion over subscription tiers and device access limits.
With the tournament underway, fans are urging Zee5 to fix the issues, reduce intrusive ads, and make highlights more accessible. For many, the current experience is diminishing the excitement of a World Cup that only comes around once every four years.
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