In a move that could significantly reshape the relationship between global football and the betting industry, FIFA has signed a new multi-year agreement with sports data company Stats Perform that will allow licensed betting operators to livestream matches from FIFA competitions, including the highly anticipated 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The deal, announced on Monday, marks one of the most significant collaborations between football’s global governing body and the sports betting ecosystem. The agreement will run for four years, extending through 2029, and will give betting platforms access to official match data and livestream rights for numerous FIFA tournaments.
The partnership is expected to transform how sports fans engage with international football, particularly through real-time betting and live streaming experiences directly on sportsbook platforms.
What the FIFA–Stats Perform Deal Includes :
Under the new agreement, Stats Perform, a Chicago-based sports data company known for its analytics brand Opta, will distribute official FIFA betting data and livestream content to licensed sportsbook operators around the world.
The data will help betting companies offer more accurate markets, faster odds updates, and in-play betting opportunities during matches.
According to the announcement, the partnership will allow sportsbooks to use FIFA’s official data for several purposes, including:
- Betting models and odds calculation
- Live in-play betting markets
- Trading and risk management systems
- Bet settlement processes
- Front-end user betting interfaces
Through Opta, operators will also gain access to detailed player statistics, match insights, live scores, and advanced tracking tools, enabling richer betting experiences for fans.
While FIFA did not disclose the financial value of the agreement, industry experts believe the deal could be worth tens of millions of dollars, given the global popularity of international football competitions.
Livestreaming Football Directly on Betting Platforms
One of the most notable aspects of the partnership is the ability for sportsbooks to livestream matches directly to registered account holders.
This means fans who place bets on football games will be able to watch matches in real time within betting apps or websites, eliminating the need to switch between television broadcasts and betting platforms.
The move aligns with a growing trend in the iGaming industry where sportsbooks integrate live streaming and real-time betting into a single interactive experience.
For betting operators, the feature is expected to significantly increase user engagement and betting activity during major tournaments.
Thousands of Matches Included in the Deal
Beyond the World Cup, the agreement also covers thousands of football matches each season from competitions organized by FIFA Member Associations.
These matches will be powered through FIFA’s digital ecosystem and distributed through the FIFA+ platform, which already hosts live games, highlights, and historic World Cup content.
FIFA+ recently strengthened its streaming capabilities through a collaboration with DAZN, a sports streaming network backed by Saudi investment. This partnership aims to expand global access to football content and digital fan engagement.
By combining FIFA+, DAZN distribution, and sportsbook streaming, FIFA appears to be building a multi-platform ecosystem where football content reaches fans through television, digital streaming, and betting platforms simultaneously.
A Complex Relationship Between Football and Betting
Interestingly, the new deal arrives despite FIFA maintaining strict ethical guidelines regarding gambling.
The organization’s code of ethics prohibits players, referees, officials, and agents from participating directly or indirectly in betting activities related to football matches or competitions.
However, FIFA has increasingly explored commercial partnerships with betting companies in recent years, especially in regulated markets.
During the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, FIFA signed a regional sponsorship agreement with a gambling operator in Europe, marking the first time a betting brand was associated with the tournament at a commercial level.
The new streaming and data distribution agreement suggests FIFA is continuing to balance integrity protections with the massive commercial opportunities offered by the global sports betting industry.
A Major Boost for the 2026 FIFA World Cup
The timing of the partnership is particularly significant as the world prepares for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be the largest tournament in the competition’s history.
The event will kick off on June 11 in Mexico City and will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
For the first time ever, the tournament will feature 48 national teams, expanding the competition from its previous 32-team format. A total of 104 matches will be played over five weeks, with the final scheduled for July 19, 2026.
With more matches, more teams, and a larger global audience, the tournament is expected to become the biggest sports betting event in history.
By allowing sportsbooks to stream games directly to bettors, FIFA and Stats Perform are positioning themselves to capitalize on the growing demand for interactive sports viewing and in-play betting experiences.
The Future of Football, Streaming, and Betting
The FIFA-Stats Perform partnership highlights a broader shift in how sports organizations monetize their competitions in the digital era.
Instead of relying solely on television broadcasters, leagues and governing bodies are increasingly distributing content through data providers, streaming platforms, and betting operators.
For the iGaming industry, access to official data and livestream content from the world’s biggest football tournaments represents a major opportunity to enhance betting experiences and attract new users.
As the 2026 World Cup approaches, the integration of live streaming, official statistics, and real-time betting could redefine how millions of fans watch and interact with football worldwide.
And if this partnership proves successful, it may signal the beginning of a new era where sports viewing and betting become more interconnected than ever before.