FIFA has announced a partnership with YouTube to expand the 2026 World Cup's reach through social and streaming platforms. The deal enables licensed broadcasters to stream the first 10 minutes of matches and grants creators access to produce custom content. It follows a similar agreement with TikTok earlier this year.
On Tuesday, FIFA revealed a 'game-changing partnership' with YouTube, designating it a preferred platform for the 2026 World Cup. The tournament, hosted across Canada, Mexico, and the US, is set to begin on Thursday, June 11, and conclude on Sunday, July 1. The collaboration aims to offer fans new ways to engage beyond traditional TV broadcasts. Licensed broadcasters can livestream the opening 10 minutes of each match on YouTube, designed to direct viewers to complete games on conventional television. FIFA's media partners will stream select full matches on their YouTube channels. A selection of global YouTube creators gains access to multi-angle footage for producing match breakdowns, behind-the-scenes content, and other World Cup-themed videos. Fans can also explore FIFA's World Cup digital archive on YouTube, featuring full-length past matches and iconic moments. 'This collaboration with YouTube reinforces our ambition to maximise the tournament's impact across the ever-evolving media landscape, offering fans everywhere easy access to an immersive view of the biggest single-sport event in history,' said FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafström. In the US, matches air live on Fox and FS1, with streaming options via services like YouTube TV or the Fox Sports app.
