DAZN set to relaunch FIFA’s struggling streaming service on its platform in 2026

October 29 – In a relaunch of FIFA+, FIFA’s in-house platform will be streamed on DAZN from 2026, the world governing body confirmed on Wednesday.

The announcement came following an apparent meeting between Infantino, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman and DAZN owner Len Blatvanik.

DAZN, broadcaster of the recent Club World Cup, is expanding its partnership with FIFA to launch the ‘Global Home of Football’, a new digital streaming platform building on the FIFA+ service. The hub will feature live and on-demand coverage of top-tier football, including highlights and exclusive behind-the-scenes access from more than 100 men’s and women’s national teams and club leagues.

The platform will also include a multilingual news service, offering hourly updates, a weekly analysis program, and on-demand features such as documentaries, interviews, and original series. Freemium and premium packages will be available.

“Pushing the boundaries of innovation is clearly something we excel at together and partnering with DAZN, FIFA is delighted to bring even more football content – and a wider variety of experience, excitement and entertainment – to fans worldwide through the new FIFA+ platform,” said FIFA general secretary Matthias Grafstrom.

Financial details of the deal were not disclosed, but the partnership reinforces the growing ties between Saudi Arabia and DAZN.

The streaming platform acquired the rights to the Club World Cup for $1 billion. SURJ, a branch of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, invested $1 billion for a stake in DAZN, a company that’s been bleeding billions of dollars of losses in recent years.  At the Club World Cup, FIFA’s prize money was $1 billion.

Infantino was on a whirlwind visit in the Arab Kingdom. He held talks with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, attended the Future Investment Initiative (FII9) in the Saudi capital, and watched the King Cup’s match between Al Ittihad and Al Nasr.

At the business summit, he told Paul Kagame, 68, and president of Rwanda since 2000 and other heads of state that a football is not a ball but “a magic instrument” before adding that “what you are doing with your countries is absolutely incredible. It’s transformative”.  Kagame is an autocrat who has used sports to launder his reputation through sponsorship deals with major European football clubs.

CAF boss Patrice Motsepe was also in attendance at the Future Investment Initiative.

Infantino continued his trip with a meeting with Mohammed Bin Salman. In 2034, Saudi Arabia will host the World Cup after FIFA fast-tracked the tournament’s hosting rights last year. No other candidates entered the bidding race, allowing the Saudis to be the second country in the Middle East to land the tournament after Qatar’s hosting in 2022.

The FIFA boss has built a strong relationship with the Saudi Crown Prince. In recent months, Infantino’s liking for strongmen has been on full display, strengthening his ‘friendship’ with US President Donald Trump. Earlier this week, the pair attended the ASEAN summit in Malaysia, where FIFA announced the launch of a new regional tournament.

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