ZEE5 streams FIFA World Cup 2026 in India with buffering, outages

On June 11, the opening night of the FIFA World Cup 2026, Indian viewers reported widespread streaming problems on ZEE5, the platform’s official digital partner in India. Users experienced buffering, login failures, app crashes and reduced video quality, with many noting the absence of the advertised 4K option.

The controversy began earlier when ZEE5 briefly altered the device‑sharing limits of its Rs 799 three‑month World Cup package, reducing access from three devices to one. After fan backlash, the company restored the original three‑device benefit and clarified that the higher‑priced Rs 1,699 plan allows up to four screens. ZEE5 has advised affected users to restart the app, clear cache, switch networks or update the application, but has not issued a formal outage statement.

The technical glitches and the brief subscription‑policy change sparked significant criticism on social media, highlighting concerns over the platform’s readiness for the tournament’s high viewership demand.