At a Glance
- FIFA signed a four-year deal with Stats Perform to let gambling operators livestream World Cup games
- The agreement grants exclusive betting rights to thousands of matches per season across FIFA Member Association competitions
- FIFA’s ethics code bans players and officials from betting, yet the body now partners with the industry
- Why it matters: Fans could soon watch World Cup action directly through betting apps
FIFA has doubled down on its commercial relationship with the betting industry, announcing Monday that select gambling operators will livestream World Cup matches through 2029.
The global soccer body framed the four-year partnership with data provider Stats Perform-owner of the Opta statistics brand-as a way “to distribute official betting data and livestreams” to registered users. The deal covers most FIFA competitions and marks the organization’s deepest foray yet into gambling-related media rights.
Inside the Stats Perform Agreement
Stats Perform, headquartered in Chicago, will supply licensed sportsbooks with official FIFA data for modeling, trading and in-play wagering. Its Opta arm will provide player statistics, live scores and match trackers to betting clients worldwide.
Key components of the contract:
- Exclusive betting data rights for thousands of matches each season in FIFA Member Association competitions
- Livestreaming access for account holders on betting platforms
- Integration with FIFA+, FIFA’s own streaming service that already hosts lower-tier league games and World Cup archive highlights
FIFA+ has recently linked up with DAZN, the Saudi Arabia-backed sports streaming network, expanding the potential reach of the new betting streams.
Ethics Code vs. Commercial Reality
The partnership lands in tension with FIFA’s own ethics regulations. Article 25 of the FIFA Code of Ethics states that players, officials and agents are forbidden from participating “either directly or indirectly, in betting, gambling, lotteries or similar events or transactions related to football matches or competitions.”
No financial terms were disclosed for the Stats Perform deal, and FIFA declined to comment on how the revenue will be allocated.
Historical Context
FIFA’s only previous World Cup-linked gambling arrangement was a regional sponsorship in Europe during the 2022 Qatar tournament. The new agreement is broader, covering multiple tournaments and spanning six years.
Upcoming Tournament Timeline
The expanded men’s World Cup kicks off June 11 in Mexico City. A record 48 teams will play 104 matches across the United States, Canada and Mexico through July 19.
Market Implications
By granting livestreaming rights to betting operators, FIFA is following a path already trodden by several domestic leagues. The move is expected to:
- Increase in-play betting volumes during matches
- Provide bookmakers with proprietary data feeds to sharpen odds
- Offer fans alternative viewing portals beyond traditional broadcasters
Stats Perform confirmed it will police data distribution strictly to licensed operators, though details on geographic restrictions were not released.
Key Takeaways
- FIFA has entered its most comprehensive betting industry partnership to date
- Live World Cup streams will be available inside betting apps for the first time
- The deal tests the boundary between FIFA’s ethical stance and its commercial ambitions
- Fans should expect new viewing options when the tournament begins in June
