DAZN, a streaming platform, has earned exclusive rights to broadcast the FIFA Club World Cup next summer.
FIFA announced it had reached a deal with British streaming service DAZN to broadcast all 63 games free to view worldwide.
DAZN will broadcast all 63 matches of the expanded 32-team competition, which will take place in the United States from June 15 to July 13, next year.
Every match will be live-streamed and available for free on DAZN’s platforms, with the option to sublicense rights to local free-to-air broadcasters.
The transaction is reported to be worth approximately 1 billion euros (£829 million).
The cooperation with football’s global governing body FIFA will begin on Thursday, when the FIFA Club World Cup draw is held in Miami and streamed live.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino said: “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.”
However, players have expressed dissatisfaction with an ever-lengthening game schedule, which leaves them with fewer opportunities for rest and recovery.
Rodri, the winner of this year’s Ballon d’Or, warned in September that players were “close” to striking due to the demands of this season’s expanded UEFA Champions League, followed by the Club World Cup.
“If it keeps this way we will have no other option,” Rodri said of possible industrial action. “It is something that worries us.”
