FIFA has struck a landmark deal with YouTube, allowing World Cup 2026 broadcast partners to stream the first ten minutes of every match on their YouTube channels. This is the first time FIFA has permitted its broadcast partners to show part of a live match on a digital platform, signaling a shift toward engaging younger, digital-native audiences.
Under the agreement, participating broadcasters can also offer a limited number of full matches, extended highlights, behind-the-scenes content, and on-demand formats to boost viewer engagement and monetization. Additionally, FIFA’s digital archives will be opened on YouTube, granting fans access to historic matches and iconic moments leading up to the tournament.
The initiative includes collaboration with a global roster of YouTube content creators, who will have access to the tournament to share personal stories, tactical analysis, and promotional content using the archive footage.
“This partnership allows us to connect with fans in ways never seen before,†said FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafström. Justin Connolly, YouTube’s Global Head of Sports and Media, added that the collaboration will help attract the next generation of football fans while uniting audiences worldwide around major moments.
With this deal, YouTube becomes FIFA’s preferred platform for the 2026 World Cup, expanding on a similar partnership the organization signed with TikTok earlier this year.