Sahil Khattar’s FIFA hosting gig: A dream come true
For actor-host Sahil Khattar, sharing screen space with German goalkeeping legend Oliver Kahn on the FIFA broadcast for ZEE5 has been nothing short of surreal. Khattar, who grew up playing FIFA on PlayStation, now finds himself discussing real-world football with global icons, describing the experience as a dream where fandom and reality collide.
After taking a brief sabbatical from acting, Khattar balanced building a slate of films he has written and will star in, with one of the biggest sporting opportunities of his career: hosting FIFA content on ZEE5. “I took a couple of years’ break and wrote two-three films myself. One is a family comedy and the other a sports comedy,” he shared. “But then the World Cup opportunity came along, it was too precious to pass on.”
Creative freedom and a star-studded panel
For Khattar, the FIFA assignment is not just another hosting gig—it is a creative playground. “It’s a big panel and our show Unite8 Thrillz is one of the highest-rated in sports. The creative freedom they’ve given me is massive,” he said. He is elated to be in the company of Indian football heroes Bhaichung Bhutia, Sunil Chhetri, and Gurpreet Singh Sandhu. Notably, Khattar shares a Chandigarh connection with Gurpreet, as both are St. Stephen's School, Chandigarh alumni.
What makes Khattar’s approach stand out is his unconventional preparation. He admits much of his football knowledge comes from an unexpected source. “I used to play FIFA on PlayStation. Honestly, 50 per cent of my knowledge comes from that. The rest I learned from friends. So, I study and research a lot myself now,” he laughed.
Blending analysis with humour and desi metaphors
His style blends analysis with humour, film references, and pop culture commentary—something he says is intentional to keep the format “massy and relatable” for Indian audiences. “We add film references, jokes, even desi metaphors. Like players running for the ball like a wedding buffet open—people connect with that,” he said. He receives massive response from Chandigarh, Punjab, and Haryana. “I try other regional languages too, but the response I get from the North is exceptional. For them, I’m their boy.”
The show has also given Khattar magical on-air moments, including sharing screen space with Oliver Kahn. “It’s mesmerising. When I touched his feet for the first time, he was taken aback. Now he knows pairi pauna (touching feet) and duly blesses me with a pat on my back.”
Analytical insights on the 2026 World Cup
Despite the humour, Khattar is deeply analytical about football’s evolving global narrative, especially the rise of underdog teams in the current World Cup cycle. “Smaller nations are creating history. It’s giving birth to dreams. That’s what makes this World Cup so relatable—you see yourself in these teams,” he explained.
Beyond the studio, Khattar says the experience has reshaped how he performs. “When I’m on air, I feel like I’m one with the game. Like Messi in the zone. Everything aligns—the research, the energy, the moment. It feels instinctive.”
As he continues balancing filmmaking ambitions with sports hosting, Khattar seems to be carving out a space that is uniquely his—where cinema, comedy, and football collide in real time on screen.
FIFA 2026: A World Cup like never before
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is set to be a historic edition, with more teams, more matches, and more goals, breaking records that have stood for over a hundred years. The tournament also sparks dreams, as footballing giants and small nations like Cabo Verde, with a population of just 5 lakhs, now have a shot at glory. The rise of underdog teams makes this edition deeply personal for fans, proving that no dream is too big on this stage.
