YouTube has been named a ‘preferred platform’ for the FIFA World Cup 2026. Under the partnership, broadcasters will be able to stream the opening 10 minutes of matches from the 48-team tournament, set to run across the U.S., Mexico, and Canada from June 11 to July 19.
FIFA and YouTube are partnering to motivate younger audiences to view the initial moments of matches on YouTube before transitioning to conventional network TV channels. The inaugural game of the 2026 FIFA World Cup is set to take place at the Mexico City Stadium, featuring a clash between Mexico and South Africa, both members of Group A.
In a statement, FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafstrom said the collaboration will also help maximise the tournament’s impact and give them “easy access to an immersive view of the biggest single-sport event in history.”
FIFA has announced that media partners will have the opportunity to stream a limited selection of matches in their entirety on their channels. They can also share extended highlights, behind-the-scenes clips, Shorts, and video-on-demand content on YouTube. Additionally, FIFA is offering a wealth of content from its digital archive, including full-length past matches and significant historical events, on its official YouTube channel.