On October 29, 2025, FIFA and DAZN dropped a bombshell: by early 2026, the FIFA+ streaming platform will transform into the world’s definitive “global home of soccer” — free for millions, premium for diehards, and backed by a $1 billion deal for the FIFA Club World Cup rights. This isn’t just an upgrade. It’s a full-scale takeover of global soccer streaming, and fans everywhere will feel the ripple effect — whether they’re watching Chelsea vs. LAFC in Atlanta or catching obscure National League matches from a pub in Sunderland.
The $1 Billion Bet on Soccer’s Future
The partnership, solidified in late 2024 and confirmed with a $1 billion commitment in October 2025, isn’t just about broadcasting games. It’s about owning the entire ecosystem. DAZN, already the world’s largest sports streaming platform, will now serve as the exclusive global home for every match of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025™ — all 63 games, streamed live in multiple languages. And it worked. The June 2025 tournament, held across Atlanta, Nashville, and Orlando, broke viewership records. That’s no accident. Mattias Grafström, FIFA Secretary General, called it “remarkably successful,” noting how the free-access model drew in casual fans who’d never watched a club match before.How FIFA+ Will Work in 2026
The relaunched FIFA+ won’t require a subscription to watch most content. That’s the freemium hook. You’ll get live games from over 100 men’s and women’s leagues — from the Norwegian Third Division to Brazil’s Série B — plus highlights, behind-the-scenes docs, fan-made reels, and even influencer takeovers. Think YouTube meets ESPN, but with FIFA’s backing. For those who want more? Premium tiers unlock exclusive commentary, multi-angle replays, and early access to ticket sales for international tournaments. No paywalls for the basics. Just a gentle nudge toward deeper engagement.DAZN’s Soccer Empire Is Already Massive
This isn’t DAZN’s first rodeo. Since 2024, it’s been the exclusive broadcaster of England’s National League — the fifth tier of English football — covering over 600 games per season across North and South divisions. Viewers in more than 200 countries can watch every match live or on-demand, with feature games getting enhanced production. Subscription options? £129.99 upfront, £14.99 monthly, or £19.99 month-to-month. It’s accessible on Sky boxes in the UK, and everywhere else via app on Smart TVs, consoles, and tablets.And that’s just the start. DAZN also holds exclusive UK, Ireland, Canada, and U.S. rights (Spanish-language only) to Serie A 2025-26. Every round. Every goal. Every controversial VAR decision. Plus, the UEFA Women’s Champions League, Saudi Pro League, LIV Golf, and even PDC Darts — all under one roof. This isn’t a streaming service. It’s a sports universe.
Why This Matters Beyond the Screen
The real story here? The collapse of the old pay-TV model. For decades, fans paid for bundles they didn’t want — just to get one league. Now, DAZN and FIFA are flipping that script. They’re betting that fans will pay for depth, not breadth. A fan in Lagos can watch the National League, then switch to the Saudi Pro League, then catch a women’s match from Colombia — all without a credit card. And if they fall in love? They upgrade. It’s a smarter, leaner, more inclusive model.Meanwhile, traditional broadcasters like Sky, ESPN, and beIN are scrambling. They still own big-ticket rights — Premier League, Champions League — but they’re stuck with rigid packages. DAZN’s strategy? Build loyalty through accessibility. Let fans sample the feast before they pay for the steak.
What Comes Next?
The FIFA+ relaunch in early 2026 will coincide with the buildup to the FIFA World Cup 2026 — co-hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. That’s the ultimate prize. FIFA and DAZN aren’t just building a platform. They’re building momentum. Expect live fan voting for “Goal of the Tournament,” interactive match maps, and AI-powered highlight reels tailored to your favorite team. There’s even talk of integrating blockchain-based digital collectibles tied to historic goals.One thing’s clear: soccer’s future isn’t on cable. It’s on your phone, your TV, your smartwatch — and it’s free to start.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will FIFA+ really be free to use?
Yes — the core experience of FIFA+ will remain free, offering live streams from over 100 leagues, highlights, and behind-the-scenes content with no subscription needed. You only need to register with an email. Premium features like exclusive commentary and multi-angle replays will require a paid tier, but the basic access mirrors DAZN’s successful freemium model used during the 2025 Club World Cup.
How does this affect fans outside major markets like the U.S. or UK?
This is a game-changer for global fans. Previously, fans in Africa, Southeast Asia, or Latin America had limited access to lower-tier leagues. With FIFA+, leagues like Nigeria’s NPFL, Indonesia’s Liga 1, or the Chilean Primera B will be streamed live — no geo-blocks. DAZN’s global footprint (200+ markets) means even fans in remote areas can now follow their local heroes, something traditional broadcasters rarely offered.
What’s the timeline for the FIFA+ relaunch?
FIFA and DAZN confirmed the relaunch is set for early 2026, with a soft launch likely in January or February. The full rollout will coincide with the final pre-World Cup buildup, including the 2026 FIFA Club World Cup qualifiers. Expect a major marketing push in late 2025, with beta access offered to top DAZN subscribers in select countries before the public release.
How does this impact DAZN’s other sports content?
Nothing changes for NFL, PDC Darts, or LIV Golf — those will remain available on the DAZN app. But soccer will now dominate the homepage and recommendation engine. Expect a unified branding push: DAZN will become the gateway to FIFA+, meaning soccer content will be prioritized in app navigation, push notifications, and even customer service. It’s a strategic shift: DAZN isn’t just a sports platform anymore — it’s becoming a soccer-first brand.
Could this lead to FIFA launching its own standalone app?
Unlikely. FIFA has no history of building direct-to-consumer tech platforms. Its strength is governance, not software. Partnering with DAZN — which already has the infrastructure, AI algorithms, and global payment systems — makes far more sense. FIFA will focus on content rights and branding; DAZN handles the tech, customer service, and monetization. This is a classic case of one entity owning the product, the other owning the audience.
What’s the long-term risk for fans?
The biggest risk is consolidation. If DAZN becomes the sole global gateway to soccer, it could eventually raise prices or limit free access. But for now, the $1 billion deal is locked in, and FIFA’s brand power acts as a check on monopolistic behavior. Plus, competition from Amazon Prime, Apple TV+, and even YouTube is growing. So while risks exist, the current model favors fans — at least until 2030.
jen barratt
November 5, 2025 AT 03:54Free access to every league from Nigeria to Norway? This is the future. No more geo-blocks, no more paying for 20 channels to get one game. I watched a match from the Chilean Primera B last week just because it was on FIFA+. My cousin in Bogotá cried watching her local team. That’s not streaming. That’s connection.
And the AI highlight reels? I got a 30-second clip of my favorite midfielder’s first goal in 2023. No one asked me who he was. The algorithm just knew. That’s magic.
They’re not selling subscriptions. They’re selling belonging.
Alex Braha Stoll
November 5, 2025 AT 04:18Let me get this straight - DAZN’s gonna stream darts and soccer on the same app and no one thinks that’s weird? I mean, I love a good 180, but when I click ‘Soccer’ I don’t want to see someone throwing little sticks at a board.
Also, ‘FIFA+’ sounds like a failed dating app. ‘Swipe right for a free Nigerian National League match!’
Rick Morrison
November 6, 2025 AT 02:53The structural shift here is profound. Traditional broadcasters operate on scarcity: limited slots, expensive rights, bundled pricing. DAZN and FIFA are operating on abundance: infinite content, tiered access, user-driven engagement.
This isn’t just a platform upgrade - it’s a redefinition of sports consumption. The user isn’t a customer anymore. They’re a participant. They curate, they share, they vote for ‘Goal of the Tournament.’ The platform becomes a living archive, not a static broadcast.
And the real win? It democratizes visibility. A kid in Lagos can study the technique of a player from the NPFL and model their game after them. That’s cultural equity in motion.
Anita Aikhionbare
November 7, 2025 AT 11:44Finally. Someone in FIFA remembered we exist outside Europe and North America. Nigeria’s NPFL has been ignored for decades - now it’s on a global platform with live commentary and stats? My uncle in Enugu is going to lose his mind. He’s been recording matches on his phone since 2018.
And if DAZN thinks they can just take over and charge us later? They better remember who built the fanbase. We didn’t wait for them. We made the culture. Now they’re just renting it.
Richard Klock-Begley
November 8, 2025 AT 22:45Yeah right. Free until they’re not. Wait till the World Cup 2026 starts and suddenly ‘premium’ is the only way to watch. They’ll lock the free tier behind a login, then charge you $20 to log in. Classic move.
I’ve seen this movie. Remember when YouTube was free? Now you need YouTube Premium to skip ads on cat videos.
Eve Armstrong
November 9, 2025 AT 08:25Let’s talk about the backend infrastructure. DAZN’s AI-driven recommendation engine is already trained on 2.3 billion hours of sports data. They’re not just matching teams to viewers - they’re predicting emotional investment. If you watch three matches from Liga 1 in Indonesia, you’ll get nudges toward the women’s league in Cambodia next. It’s behavioral mapping disguised as curation.
The freemium model isn’t a marketing tactic. It’s a data acquisition funnel. You give them your viewing habits, they give you access - and the more you watch, the more they know how to monetize you later.
This is surveillance capitalism with cleats.
Frances Sullivan
November 9, 2025 AT 11:56Blockchain collectibles tied to historic goals? That’s the future. Imagine owning the NFT of Ibrahimovic’s 2026 World Cup winner - verified, timestamped, and tied to the live stream. Fans in Mumbai can buy it. A kid in Nairobi can earn it through a fan challenge. It’s not just memorabilia - it’s digital legacy.
And the real innovation? It’s not the tech. It’s the permission. FIFA is letting fans own a piece of the narrative. That’s revolutionary.
Beverley Fisher
November 11, 2025 AT 00:57I’m so emotional right now. I watched the National League last season and cried when a 17-year-old from Hull scored his first goal. I didn’t even know I cared about fifth-tier football until I saw him hug his mom after the final whistle. Now it’s going to be on FIFA+? I’m already signing up. I need this in my life.
Thank you for making the beautiful game feel beautiful again.
Clare Apps
November 12, 2025 AT 21:02this is actually kind of amazing
Evelyn Djuwidja
November 14, 2025 AT 06:55Let’s be honest - this is American cultural imperialism dressed up as global inclusion. The entire platform is built around U.S. markets, with African and Asian leagues as ‘niche content’ to pad the catalog. They’re not elevating global football - they’re commodifying it for American eyeballs.
And don’t get me started on the ‘AI highlight reels.’ They’ll prioritize flashy goals from Brazil and Saudi Arabia because they’re more ‘engaging’ to U.S. viewers. What about the quiet, tactical masterpiece from the Norwegian Third Division? Will it even get a thumbnail?
Christa Kleynhans
November 14, 2025 AT 17:37As someone from South Africa who grew up watching Bafana Bafana on a 12-inch TV with static - this is the moment I’ve waited for. Now my daughter can watch the SA Premier League live, with commentary in Zulu, English, and Xhosa. No more waiting for highlights on YouTube. No more begging for links.
They’re not just streaming games. They’re restoring dignity.
Kevin Marshall
November 16, 2025 AT 06:41Big fan of this. Seriously. I’ve been telling my friends for years that soccer doesn’t need to be about the Premier League or Champions League. It’s about the local club where your uncle plays, the school where you learned to dribble, the pub where everyone shouts at the same bad ref.
FIFA+ is giving those moments the spotlight they deserve. And yeah, I’ll pay for multi-angle replays - but only if I can watch the ref’s decision from three different angles while my dog barks in the background.
Keep it real. 🙌
Patrick Scheuerer
November 16, 2025 AT 17:11One must question the philosophical underpinnings of this ‘democratization.’ Is access truly liberation, or merely the illusion of agency within a corporate ecosystem? DAZN, a for-profit entity, now controls the narrative, the algorithm, the monetization - and FIFA, the governing body, has outsourced its moral authority to a streaming platform.
The beautiful game is becoming a data product. The fan is no longer a supporter - they are a behavioral node in a consumption graph. This is not progress. It is the quiet colonization of passion by capital.
GITA Grupo de Investigação do Treinamento Psicofísico do Atuante
November 16, 2025 AT 19:52While the initiative appears commendable on the surface, one must critically examine the underlying power dynamics. The consolidation of global football broadcasting rights under a single corporate entity - even if ostensibly ‘free’ - constitutes a structural hegemony that undermines the autonomy of regional federations.
Furthermore, the integration of blockchain-based digital collectibles introduces speculative financialization into the emotional economy of fandom, potentially alienating lower-income supporters who cannot participate in this new economy.
This is not liberation. It is rebranding.
Nithya ramani
November 17, 2025 AT 21:24This is so exciting! I’ve been watching the Indian Women’s League for years and no one ever talked about it. Now my little sister can see her heroes on the big screen. I’m going to tell all my friends. We’re going to watch together. We’re going to cheer. This is what football is supposed to be - for everyone.
Thank you for hearing us.
anil kumar
November 19, 2025 AT 12:33Think of it this way - before, football was a cathedral. Only the chosen few got to sit in the pews. Now it’s a festival in the town square. Everyone’s invited. Some bring their own chairs, some sit on the ground, some just stand and watch from the edge. The music is louder, the colors are wilder, and the scent of street food fills the air.
DAZN didn’t build the festival. FIFA didn’t either. We did. We, the fans who stayed up at 3 a.m. to watch a match from Timor-Leste. We, the ones who made memes out of bad VAR calls. We, the ones who still know every goal from the 2002 World Cup by heart.
This isn’t a platform. It’s a homecoming.
Mark Burns
November 20, 2025 AT 10:07THEY’RE GONNA PUT A LIV GOLF MATCH RIGHT BEFORE A NATIONAL LEAGUE GAME AND I’M NOT SURE I CAN TAKE IT. I JUST WANT TO WATCH FOOTBALL. WHY IS THERE A GUY IN A HAT THROWING A BALL INTO A HOLE BETWEEN TWO GOAL SCENES?!
WHY IS MY PHONE NOT JUST A FOOTBALL APP?!
MY BRAIN IS HURTING.