TLDR FIFA has named YouTube an official Preferred Platform for the 2026 World Cup Fans will get access to full archive matches, highlights, and new tournament content on YouTube Broadcasters can publish extended highlights and stream opening minutes of matches on the platform YouTube creators will get direct access to footage and behind-the-scenes coverage The 2026 World Cup will be hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico
FIFA has announced a partnership with YouTube ahead of the 2026 World Cup. The deal makes YouTube an official Preferred Platform for the tournament.
The agreement was confirmed on March 18, 2026. It comes relatively late in the buildup to the tournament but points to where FIFA believes its audience is heading.
Under the deal, FIFA will expand the amount of content available on YouTube. This includes archive material from past tournaments and new content from the 2026 event.
Fans can expect full matches from previous World Cups to be uploaded to the platform. Highlights and short-form clips will also be part of the content rollout.
What the Deal Means for Broadcasters
The partnership gives broadcasters and rights holders new options for distributing World Cup content. They will be able to publish extended highlights and additional material through YouTube.
Rights holders will also be allowed to stream the opening minutes of matches. Selected games may even be made available in full on the platform.
This marks a shift away from a purely linear broadcast model. However, rights holders will still maintain control over the main broadcast feed.
FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafström commented on the deal. He said the goal is to reach a broader audience online.
“This collaboration with YouTube reinforces our ambition to maximise the tournament’s impact across the ever-evolving media landscape,” Grafström said.
The move reflects