FIFA World Cup 2026: Half an hour past midnight, the biggest event in sports, the FIFA World Cup, kicked off in India. However, it was anything but a smooth experience for the fans. The FIFA World Cup 2026 launch on Zee5 was disrupted by serious technical glitches and debatable pricing policies that frustrated Indian football enthusiasts who were looking forward to a hassle-free midnight kickoff. Instead of a delightful opening game between Mexico and South Africa, the night became a mass of online grievances as angry fans stormed social media to vent their anger over a difficult beginning of the tournament’s livestreaming.
FIFA World Cup 2026: Zee5 comes under a barrage of criticism
Dear @ZEE5India,
I subscribed to the World Cup Pack because it was advertised as supporting 3 devices, allowing my family to share the subscription. After payment, the device limit was changed to 1 device only.
This is misleading and unfair to consumers. Please resolve this…
— Jimmy Jose (@Jimmmyjose) June 11, 2026
When the FIFA World Cup 2026 kicked off with the game between Mexico and South Africa at the historic Estadio Azteca, Zee5 ended up receiving a huge wave of social media criticism from users mainly due to a number of technical and service-related problems. Frustration was building up even before the first ball was kicked. There were multiple users who noticed a few days before the tournament that Zee5’s Rs 799 FIFA World Cup bundle had seemingly reduced multi-device access from three screens to a single device for some initial members. In reply to a massive online criticism, the platform rolled back the three-device access that was originally given.
Zee5 is charging unreasonable price for FIFA WC 2026, I mean I am not willing to pay 799 for an OTT app which I never even used before for any purpose whatsover!
This is just straight exploitation, they know FIFA WC lovers will buy their subscription, so charging such huge…
— Rajiv (@Rajiv1841) June 11, 2026
The pricing from Zee5 remained under a lot of questions as fans wondered if the subscription is worth their money. Notably, the platform is selling a three-month deal, even though the tournament will last 40-odd days.
Zee is an example of how bad a corporate can loot money from users, they are now forcing almost every footy fans to do the purchase right away before 12pm tonight and purchases done after tonight will have only 1 device benefit PATHETIC!
— SAM (@fcb_s_a_m) June 11, 2026
Meanwhile, another issue that gathered the attention of users trying to buy a subscription was how it was being advertised. Zee 5 created a panic among users to buy the subscription before the first game. The same subscription costing 799 that would give three screens if purchased before the tournament began will give only a single screen if it was purchased on 12th June or later.
Zee5 streaming the matches at 720p and charging 799 with ads is ridiculous.
> world cup is excluded from their premium subscription included in Airtel Xtream/JioFiber plans
> you can subscribe to Unite8 TV channel(also owned by Zee) at a cheaper cost.
— drox (@droxcodes) June 11, 2026
The streaming quality of the Mexico vs South Africa match too was criticised. Despite being advertised as streaming in 4k quality, the highest definition available for some users was 720p.
Wtf is wrong with Zee man?
Nothing is loading after subscription
Anyone facing the same issue? @Zee #zee5 pic.twitter.com/A1FmdiUJDC— Pranav Singh (@pranavsingh91) June 11, 2026
Fans trying to watch the FIFA World Cup 2026 opening game between Mexico and South Africa also faced issues with the glitches of the platform, and the live stream not running.
FIFA World Cup 2026: Zee5 messes up the opening ceremony
Last time Jio messed up the opening ceremony now, Zee is doing the honors. #FIFAWC26 #Zee5 pic.twitter.com/JQ5mRm5lQz
— Satish Mishra (@satish_BMT) June 11, 2026
Right before the first match, an opening ceremony featuring a global star and a FIFA World Cup icon in her own right, Shakira performed. However, Zee 5, possibly due to the increase in the number of users, glitched, with fans reporting that they were unable to see the opening ceremony.
Also Read: Why Did Japan Captain Wataru Endo Retire Before FIFA World Cup 2026 Opener vs Netherlands?
