YOUTUBE has announced a partnership with FIFA to become a Preferred Platform for the FIFA World Cup 2026, offering fans new ways to engage with the tournament across devices and formats.
Through the collaboration, viewers will be able to access World Cup-related content wherever YouTube is available, from living room screens to mobile devices. The initiative aims to deliver a more immersive tournament experience by bringing together premium content from official media partners and creators on a single platform.
As part of the partnership, FIFA will also open up portions of its digital archive on its official YouTube channel. The archive will feature full-length matches from previous tournaments along with iconic moments from football history, allowing fans to revisit the sport’s legacy while following the upcoming competition.
The agreement will also provide media partners with expanded opportunities to distribute and monetise premium content on their YouTube channels. Key elements of the initiative include:
* Share Every Angle: Media partners will gain access to an extensive library of match footage across multiple formats. This includes extended highlights, behind-the-scenes content, Shorts, and video-on-demand programming designed to drive engagement and expand audience reach.
* Feature the Kickoff: For the first time in the tournament’s history, media partners will have the option to live stream the first 10 minutes of every match on their YouTube channels, allowing fans to experience the atmosphere from the opening whistle.
* Broadcast the Full 90: Selected matches will also be available to stream in full on media partners’ YouTube channels, helping reach global audiences while guiding viewers to official broadcast platforms for broader tournament coverage.
FIFA secretary general Mattias Grafström said, “FIFA is delighted to welcome YouTube as a Preferred Platform for the FIFA World Cup 2026. 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. As the world’s attention turns to the action in Canada, Mexico and the United States, 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.”
