FIFA has significantly expanded its commercial relationship with the betting industry by signing a multi-year agreement with sports data specialist Stats Perform. The partnership grants exclusive betting data and streaming rights across FIFA's major competitions, including the upcoming World Cup tournaments.
The landmark deal allows licensed gambling operators to access official data feeds and, notably, to livestream select FIFA events—including World Cup matches—directly to account holders in approved territories.
Comprehensive Rights Package Spans Major Tournaments
Under the terms of the agreement, Stats Perform will distribute official betting data and livestreams to sportsbooks worldwide for modeling, trading, settlement, and in-play wagering purposes. The contract encompasses "thousands of matches per season across FIFA Member Association competitions powered by FIFA+," though financial specifics remain undisclosed.
Alex Mergele, CEO of Stats Perform, emphasized the significance of the partnership: "FIFA competitions represent the pinnacle of the world's biggest game. Our clients will be delighted we're able to add FIFA competitions to our Opta and RunningBall official betting data portfolio, and our innovative, AI-enriched Bet LiveStreams service."
The rights package covers several premier events through 2029, including:
- FIFA World Cup 2026 (48 teams, 104 matches across USA, Canada, Mexico)
- FIFA Women's World Cup Brazil 2027
- FIFA Futsal World Cup 2028
- FIFA Women's Futsal World Cup (through 2029)
- Youth tournaments including U-20 competitions
- FIFA Intercontinental Cup (through 2029)
Stats Perform's RunningBall division will collect and distribute ultrafast betting data, while its Opta brand provides official player statistics and match trackers to betting platforms. The company's Bet LiveStreams service will deliver live video feeds to gambling operators in territories where such services are permitted.
Livestreaming Innovation Marks Significant Shift
Perhaps the most notable aspect of the agreement is the broadcasting component. Licensed operators will be permitted to livestream World Cup matches directly to customers in certain jurisdictions—a first for football's premier tournament.
Industry reports indicate the arrangement covers all 104 matches at this summer's expanded tournament for eligible betting platforms, though traditional broadcasters in major markets will retain their rights to show matches through conventional channels.
Romy Gai, FIFA's Chief Business Officer, described the arrangement as a milestone: "We are delighted to partner with Stats Perform, a global leader in sports data. This innovative partnership will create great opportunities to deliver official products for the benefit of the game and its fans."
Contrasting Approaches to Gambling Partnerships
FIFA's deepening commercial ties with the betting sector come as other major sports organizations adopt more cautious approaches. The English Premier League, for instance, has announced plans to phase out front-of-shirt gambling sponsors in response to regulatory and public pressure.
The governing body's expanded betting relationship exists despite FIFA's own rules prohibiting players, officials, and agents from engaging in gambling-related activities. The partnership follows previous regional sponsorships connected to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
FIFA has also coordinated with streaming platform DAZN to expand its FIFA+ distribution. The platform hosts lower-tier competition broadcasts, World Cup archives, and highlights, now supporting data integration tied to betting services.
The timing of this announcement coincides with recent ticket pricing controversies ahead of the 2026 tournament, where FIFA faced criticism for high initial price points before adjusting to make a portion of tickets available at reduced rates.
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