FIFA has taken a major خطوة forward in how football is consumed globally by announcing a strategic partnership with YouTube, which will become the preferred platform for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. The agreement aims to redefine the digital experience for fans and significantly expand the tournament’s global reach.

Under this deal, official broadcast rights holders will be able to share exclusive content through their YouTube channels. This includes extended highlights, behind-the-scenes footage, short-form videos, and on-demand content tailored to engage a wider audience

One of the most innovative aspects of the partnership is that, for the first time in World Cup history, rights holders will be allowed to stream the first ten minutes of each match live on YouTube. This move is expected to attract millions of viewers from kickoff, increasing engagement and excitement around every game.

Additionally, selected matches may be streamed in full on YouTube in certain regions, helping FIFA reach audiences in targeted markets. The organization also emphasized that the collaboration will create new monetization opportunities for broadcasters and digital creators.

FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafström described the agreement as a key step toward connecting with global audiences in a modern way. The partnership reflects evolving viewing habits and the growing importance of digital platforms.

With this move, the 2026 World Cup is set to become the most accessible and digitally integrated tournament in history.

Watch beIN SPORTS Xtra live and for free on YouTube