Streaming platform DAZN has secured exclusive rights to cover next summer’s expanded Club World Cup.
DAZN will show all 63 games in the expanded 32-team tournament, which will take place in the United States between July 15 and July 13 next year.
Every match will be broadcast live and free to watch on its digital platforms, while there is also scope for DAZN to outsource its rights to local broadcasters.
The deal is estimated to be worth around $1 billion. euros (£829 million), according to the BBC.
The cooperation with Fifa starts on Thursday, when the draw for the tournament will take place.
Manchester City and Chelsea are the two English representatives following their Champions League triumphs in 2021 and 2023, while Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain also feature.
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 to everyone around the world for free, meaning every football fan in the whole world can watch the best. players from the top 32 clubs compete in the new FIFA Club World Cup to become the first official ‘FIFA Club World Champions’.
“The new FIFA Club World Cup is a value-based, inclusive tournament that will be the pinnacle of global club football, capturing the imagination of players and fans around the world.
“Through this broadcast deal, billions of football fans around the world 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 a lot of backlash over the new tournament, with leagues and players’ unions moving forward with legal action over the scheduling of the tournament.
Several players – including Liverpool’s Alisson Becker and Manchester City’s Rodry – have expressed concerns about player welfare due to the busy football schedule.
There are just five weeks to go until the Club World Cup final and the first Premier League match of the 2025-2026 season, which is scheduled for August 16.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has already called for a late start to the Premier League season for his side.
Meanwhile, City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne said: “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 voices of the players.”
a FIFA spokesman said BBC Sport: “The FIFA Club World Cup is not responsible for the calendar congestion. It is a competitive tournament that takes place once every four years and, as independent studies have confirmed, 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 formalizing the Player Welfare Task Force, led by Arsène Wenger, to drive further global dialogue on player welfare issues with key stakeholders across football.”
