World Cup: YouTube becomes FIFA ‘preferred platform’

YouTube has secured a major partnership with FIFA to enhance how fans watch the 2026 World Cup, with the platform named an official “preferred” digital partner for the tournament.

Under the agreement, official broadcast partners will be allowed to stream the first 10 minutes of every World Cup match live on their YouTube channels.

The move is designed to give fans especially younger viewers a taste of the action before directing them to traditional broadcasters to watch full matches.

In addition, selected games will be streamed in full on YouTube, giving fans more flexible viewing options during the tournament.

The expanded format of the World Cup, featuring 48 teams, will be hosted across the United States, Mexico, and Canada from June 11 to July 19, 2026.

FIFA Secretary-General Mattias Grafström described the deal as a major step forward in connecting with global audiences.

He said the partnership would open up new opportunities for media partners and digital creators while bringing fans closer to the action through innovative content delivery.

According to FIFA, the collaboration aims to reshape how football content is consumed by making matches and related content more accessible across digital platforms.

Beyond live match snippets and selected full games, broadcast partners will also be able to share extended highlights, behind-the-scenes clips, short-form videos, and on-demand content on YouTube.

The initiative reflects FIFA’s broader push to expand the reach and impact of the World Cup in an increasingly digital media landscape, ensuring fans around the world can engage with the tournament in more dynamic ways.