Fifa has partnered with Stats Perform to distribute official betting data and livestreams for major tournaments, including the 2026 and 2027 World Cups. The agreement, announced on January 12, 2026, aims to tap into expanding regulated betting markets. However, it has triggered concerns at a UK parliamentary hearing over potential conflicts with broadcasting rules and gambling ethics.
On January 12, 2026, Fifa expanded its global agreement with Stats Perform, granting the company exclusive rights to official betting data and livestream feeds for key events. This includes the Men's Fifa World Cup 2026, the Women's Fifa World Cup 2027, and other competitions such as youth and futsal tournaments through 2029. Stats Perform will offer these through its Bet LiveStreams service, enabling mobile, desktop, and retail sportsbook partners to provide in-stream betting, instant highlights, and real-time Opta statistics on games, teams, and players. In-venue scouts from RunningBall will collect ultrafast data, while additional content like live scores, predicted lineups, injury news, and editorial insights will enhance user engagement.
Fifa positions the deal as a means to reach newly regulated markets, particularly in the United States and Latin America, where legal sports betting is growing rapidly. Stats Perform plans to license the streams to vetted bookmaker partners worldwide, emphasizing integrity and consistency in the betting ecosystem.
The partnership quickly drew political attention in the United Kingdom. During a January 16 session of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) committee, members raised alarms about allowing gambling operators to broadcast World Cup matches on their platforms. Concerns center on undermining efforts to reduce gambling-related harm, especially following the Premier League's move to eliminate front-of-shirt betting sponsorships.
A key issue is the UK's Broadcasting Act 1996, which designates World Cups as Group A listed events, requiring free access on public broadcasters like the BBC and ITV. These protections cover digital feeds, potentially clashing with Ofcom regulations if bookmakers offer exclusive streams to account holders. Similar frameworks exist in France, Germany, and Italy, complicating global rollout. Critics also highlight tensions with Fifa's Code of Ethics, which prohibits betting involvement by players and officials, arguing that monetizing streams could blur ethical lines.
Creative Industries Minister Ian Murray acknowledged the issues, signaling a cross-departmental review involving DCMS and sports policy experts. As the 2026 World Cup nears, Fifa faces pressure to address how it will navigate these regulatory and ethical challenges without jeopardizing public access or integrity.
