New deal allows partial live match broadcasts and select full games as FIFA targets younger, online audiences
FIFA has reached a landmark agreement with YouTube to expand digital coverage of the 2026 World Cup, allowing portions of matches and selected games to be streamed live on the platform.
Under the partnership, YouTube has been designated a “Preferred Platform” for the tournament, enabling official broadcast rights holders to stream the first 10 minutes of every match live on their YouTube channels.
In addition, broadcasters will be permitted to stream a limited number of full matches on YouTube, depending on regional rights agreements, while also publishing extended highlights, behind-the-scenes footage, and short-form content.
FIFA said the initiative is designed to attract younger audiences who increasingly consume sports content online, while still maintaining traditional television broadcasts as the primary platform for full match coverage.
The 2026 World Cup, scheduled to take place across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, will feature 48 teams and 104 matches—the largest edition in the tournament’s history.
FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafström described the deal as a strategic move to “engage global fans in ways never seen before,” reflecting changing media consumption habits and the growing role of digital platforms in sports broadcasting.
Industry analysts note that the agreement does not replace existing broadcast rights but complements them, giving media partners additional channels to promote and distribute content while protecting core revenue streams tied to traditional TV deals.
The FIFA–YouTube partnership signals a shift in how global sporting events are delivered, blending traditional broadcasting with digital-first strategies to reach a wider, more connected audience.