Sports
ZEE5 ropes in Sunil Chhetri for FIFA World Cup 2026 expert panel
Indian football legend joins coverage team to offer tactical insights and player perspectives throughout the tournament
MUMBAI: Football fans tuning into the FIFA World Cup 2026 on Zee 5 can now look forward to insights from one of India’s most celebrated footballers. The streaming platform has announced the onboarding of Indian football icon Sunil Chhetri as part of its expert panel for the tournament, strengthening its coverage as the competition enters a crucial stage.
Chhetri will appear as a pre-show expert, bringing a player’s perspective to discussions around key matches, tactical battles, standout performers and the defining moments shaping the World Cup. His addition further enhances Zee 5’s efforts to offer Indian audiences a comprehensive football viewing experience through live streaming, analysis, highlights and exclusive programming.
Widely regarded as the face of Indian football, Chhetri is the country’s all-time leading goalscorer and most-capped men’s international footballer. With 95 international goals, he ranks among the highest scorers in the history of men’s international football. Over a career spanning more than two decades, he has played a central role in elevating the profile of Indian football and inspiring a new generation of players and fans.
Speaking about the association, Sunil Chhetri said, “The FIFA World Cup is where football’s greatest stories unfold, and I’m excited to join Zee 5’s expert panel for this incredible tournament. Every World Cup creates moments that stay with fans forever, from legendary players continuing to build their legacy to emerging stars and nations striving to make history on the biggest stage.”
He added that he looks forward to sharing insights on the tournament’s tactical contests, standout players and memorable moments with viewers across the country.
Chhetri joins a panel that already includes football personalities such as Bhaichung Bhutia, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu and Igor Štimac. The combination of current and former football figures is aimed at providing audiences with both local and global perspectives on the tournament.
With the group stage nearing its conclusion and the knockout rounds on the horizon, interest in the tournament is expected to intensify. Zee 5 is positioning its expert-led coverage as a way to bring viewers closer to the action, whether they are lifelong football followers or experiencing the World Cup for the first time.
As the race for football’s biggest prize gathers pace, the addition of Chhetri gives Zee 5 a familiar and authoritative voice capable of helping fans make sense of the drama unfolding on the world’s grandest football stage.
