YouTube has signed on as a Preferred Platform for the FIFA World Cup 2026, giving rights-holding broadcasters and creators new ways to share tournament content with fans around the globe.
The partnership will allow media partners to stream the first 10 minutes of every match live on their YouTube channels for the first time in the competition’s history.
They will also be able to broadcast a select number of full matches and publish extended highlights, behind-the-scenes footage, Shorts, and video-on-demand content.
FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafström said the deal expands access to the tournament, which is hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States, from June 11 to July 19.
“FIFA is delighted to welcome YouTube as a Preferred Platform for the FIFA World Cup 2026,” Grafström said in a news release. “By spotlighting FIFA’s premium content and unlocking new opportunities for Media Partners and creators, this agreement will engage global fans in ways never seen before.”
Grafström added, “… [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.”
FIFA will also open portions of its digital archive on its official YouTube channel, including full-length past matches and other iconic moments.
A global group of YouTube creators will receive unprecedented access to matches, behind-the-scenes action, human stories, and tactical breakdowns before and during the 104-game tournament. The platform will host premium content from official media partners alongside creator perspectives.
The value of the agreement was not disclosed. YouTube served as a lower-tier sponsor for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
