FIFA+ moves exclusively to DAZN, centralizing 8,500 annual live matches

FIFA is effectively outsourcing its direct-to-consumer technology and distribution to achieve global scale without the overhead of maintaining a standalone app. For DAZN, this cements its position as a central aggregator for first-party federation services while adding high-volume live inventory to support its growing ad-supported tier. This deal mirrors broader market consolidation where rights holders prioritize audience reach over platform ownership. Watch for DAZN's ability to convert this free secondary content into high-margin ad revenue or premium subscriptions during the 2026 World Cup cycle.

The transition of FIFA+ to DAZN follows a massive strategic expansion catalyzed by the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. According to Omdia reporting from July 2025, DAZN saw a dramatic surge in user acquisition during that tournament, recording 18 million app downloads between June and July 2025, compared to just 590,000 in the same period a year prior. This growth was largely driven by DAZN's reported $1 billion global rights deal for the 63-match competition, which it broadcast for free in most markets.

Financial stability for this integration is underpinned by deepening ties with Saudi Arabian investment. Per the London Times in December 2024 and further City AM reporting in June 2026, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) via SURJ Sports Investment secured a minority stake in DAZN for approximately $1 billion. This capital injection addressed previous concerns regarding the platform's ability to maintain high-cost rights acquisitions after it reported substantial losses in prior fiscal years.

By mothballing its independent service, FIFA is shifting toward a multi-partner digital ecosystem. Beyond the DAZN integration, FIFA has sought other distribution avenues to engage younger audiences. For instance, per SportsPro Media in June 2026, FIFA launched its first non-EA Sports video game, 'FIFA World Cup: Launch Edition,' exclusively on Netflix. These combined moves indicate a strategy where the federation cedes platform control to established tech giants like DAZN and Netflix to maximize reach and data insights ahead of the 104-match 2026 World Cup.