iShowSpeed lands live World Cup streaming rights

iShowSpeed has agreed a deal with FIFA, FOX Sports and YouTube to host selected 2026 World Cup simulcasts featuring live match footage, extending creator-led distribution into premium tournament rights.The streams will combine the creator’s commentary and reactions with FOX’s official match feed. Financial terms were not disclosed.“I want to keep pushing the boundaries of streaming. I want to help out all creators and be able to do something in the future that has never been done before.”US viewers will be able to access the full simulcasts through the FOX One streaming service and the FOX One Prime Channel on YouTube.His personal YouTube channel will also carry the watch-alongs in the US, but without live match footage. Viewers outside the country are expected to access the streams through his existing YouTube presence, subject to local rights restrictions.The initial group-stage schedule includes Argentina against Austria on June 22, Norway against France on June 26 and Colombia against Portugal on June 27.The agreement also covers both semi-finals, the final and selected knockout-stage fixtures that will be announced later in the tournament.The partnership gives FOX an alternative distribution format for audiences that increasingly consume sport through individual creators rather than traditional television presentation.It also allows FIFA and YouTube to test how official match rights can be integrated into watch-along content without directing viewers away from the licensed broadcaster’s platforms.iShowSpeed has built a large global audience around football, gaming and live travel content, with his interest in Cristiano Ronaldo helping to connect his channel with younger football supporters.He has already streamed from World Cup host cities and appeared within FOX’s tournament coverage, giving the new arrangement a direct link between the broadcaster’s television product and his digital audience.The deal reflects a wider shift towards flexible rights packages that include creators, social platforms and alternative commentary feeds alongside conventional linear and subscription services.FOX will retain control of the US match feed while using iShowSpeed’s reach to increase viewing through FOX One and its YouTube channel during the closing stages of the tournament.