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FIFA World Cup is coming to YouTube but not fully
18 Mar 2026

FIFA has signed a major deal with YouTube, making the video platform a key destination for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The tournament will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico from June 11 to July 19.

This year marks a first in FIFA's history as official media partners and rights holders can live stream the opening 10 minutes of every match on their YouTube channels.

'Kickoff' feature to attract younger fans
Digital strategy

The "kickoff" feature is aimed at attracting fans, especially younger ones who prefer digital platforms. It will serve as a teaser before directing them to full broadcasts on traditional TV.

FIFA described this partnership with YouTube as a "game-changing" move to expand coverage and enhance fan engagement for the tournament.

Broadcasters can also stream select full matches. However, YouTube does not have not full streaming rights; it's a distribution and engagement deal.

YouTube's global head of media & sports speaks out
Strategic partnership

Justin Connolly, YouTube's VP and global head of media & sports, said they are "proud" to be a preferred platform for the FIFA World Cup 2026. He added that their focus is on providing a global, fan-centric approach to sports entertainment.

The deal also allows broadcasters to upload extended highlights, behind-the-scenes footage, YouTube Shorts and video-on-demand clips related to the tournament.

FIFA's archive content will also be available on YouTube
Expanded access

FIFA will also share its archive on YouTube, including full past matches and iconic moments from football history.

A global group of YouTube creators will get unprecedented access to the event, with behind-the-scenes opportunities to capture content around the 104 games.

The financial terms of this deal have not been disclosed yet.