Football coverage appears to have given a significant boost to Zee Network’s sports broadcast strategy in Kerala. During the opening week of the FIFA World Cup 2026, Zee Network carried live coverage through its sports channels, while selected matches were also available with Malayalam commentary on Zee Keralam, bringing the tournament closer to football fans across the state.
Based on Kerala TV’s analysis of BARC Universal Data, the opening FIFA World Cup telecasts registered encouraging television ratings, indicating strong viewer interest for premium international football content on Malayalam television.
Is FIFA World Cup 2026 Currently Available on Zee Keralam?
At present, viewers should check the latest schedule before match time.
Zee Keralam has temporarily paused regular FIFA World Cup live telecasts after the opening phase of the tournament. However, the broadcaster may schedule additional matches during the remaining stages of the competition depending on programming decisions. Viewers are advised to verify the channel schedule closer to kick-off. Live streaming continues to be available through ZEE5 and Zee Network’s sports channels.
Portugal vs DR Congo – Cristiano Ronaldo’s Opening Match Attracted Strong Viewership
Portugal’s opening Group K fixture against DR Congo generated impressive television viewership among Kerala audiences. The presence of Cristiano Ronaldo, one of football’s biggest global stars, likely contributed to the strong ratings.
The match featured Portugal beginning its FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign against DR Congo, with football fans across Kerala tuning in to follow Ronaldo and company in their first outing of the tournament.
Argentina vs Algeria – Messi Effect Continues
Argentina’s opening Group J encounter against Algeria also performed exceptionally well on Zee Keralam.
With Lionel Messi leading the defending champions, the fixture attracted one of the highest ratings among the opening FIFA World Cup telecasts. Kerala has traditionally been one of India’s strongest football markets, with passionate support for Argentina, and the television figures once again reflected that enthusiasm.
FIFA World Cup 2026 – Zee Keralam TRP Performance
| Rank | Match | TVR |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Portugal vs DR Congo | 4.97 |
| 2 | Argentina vs Algeria | 4.79 |
| 3 | Spain vs Cabo Verde | 3.95 |
| 4 | Germany vs Curaçao | 2.46 |
| 5 | Brazil vs Morocco | 2.00 |
| 6 | Belgium vs Egypt | 1.87 |
| 7 | England vs Croatia | 1.74 |
| 8 | Netherlands vs Japan | 1.62 |
| 9 | France vs Senegal | 1.58 |
| 10 | Uruguay vs Saudi Arabia | 1.43 |
Source: Kerala TV analysis based on BARC Universal television audience data.
Kerala Remains India’s Strongest Football Television Market
The early ratings suggest that international football continues to enjoy a loyal television audience in Kerala. High-profile teams featuring global stars such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi delivered the strongest performances during the opening week, reinforcing football’s popularity among Malayalam viewers.
While Zee Keralam’s FIFA telecasts are currently not part of the regular schedule, the strong opening ratings indicate that premium football content has the potential to attract substantial audiences whenever it is broadcast.
Editorial Note
TRP figures presented above are based on Kerala TV’s analysis of available BARC Universal Data. Television broadcasters may choose to highlight ratings from different audience categories, demographics, or markets based on their editorial and promotional requirements.
