Streaming platform DAZN has secured exclusive rights to cover next summer’s expanded Club World Cup.
DAZN will show all 63 games at the expanded 32-team tournament, which takes place in the United States between July 15 and July 13 next year.
Every match will be live-streamed and free to view on their digital platforms, while there is also scope for DAZN to sub-let their rights to local broadcasters.
The deal is thought to be worth around 1bn euros (£829m), according to the BBC.
The partnership with Fifa kicks off on Thursday, when the draw for the tournament will be made.
Manchester City and Chelsea are the two English representatives after their Champions League triumphs in 2021 and 2023, while the likes of Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Paris St-Germain are also involved.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino said: “I am delighted to announce that Fifa, in partnership with DAZN and Fifa+, will bring the best of club football for free to everywhere in the world, meaning that every single football fan across the globe can watch the best players from the 32 best clubs compete in the new FIFA Club World Cup to be the first official ‘FIFA Club World Champions’.
“The new FIFA Club World Cup is a merit-based, inclusive tournament that will be the pinnacle of global club football, capturing the imagination of players and fans across the world.
“Through this broadcasting agreement, billions of football fans worldwide can now watch what will be the most widely accessible club football tournament ever – and FOR FREE. Football Unites the World.”
A new era of club football… 📺🍿#FIFACWC pic.twitter.com/4pCIE1WJpN
— FIFA Club World Cup (@FIFACWC) December 3, 2024
Club World Cup controversy
Fifa has faced lots of opposition to the new-look tournament, with leagues and player unions moving forward with legal action due to the scheduling of the tournament.
Several players – including Liverpool’s Alisson Becker and Manchester City’s Rodri – have raised concerns about player welfare due to the packed football schedule.
There are just five weeks between the Club World Cup final and the first Premier League match of the 2025-2026 season, which is scheduled for 16 August.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has already requested a late start to the Premier League season for his team.
Meanwhile, City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne has saids: “The issue is that UEFA and Fifa keep adding extra matches, and we can raise concerns, but no solutions have been found. It seems that money speaks louder than the players’ voices.”
A Fifa spokesperson told BBC Sport: “The FIFA Club World Cup is not responsible for calendar congestion. It is a competitive tournament that takes place once every four years and, as independent studies have verified, FIFA is only responsible for a small percentage of matches per season.
“FIFA cares about the welfare of the players. Following a decision taken earlier this year, FIFA is formalising the Task Force on Player Welfare, headed by Arsène Wenger, to promote further global dialogue on player welfare issues with key stakeholders across football.”
