FIFA's Digital Evolution
FIFA Embraces Digital Streaming, Partnering with Brazil's CazéTV to Engage Younger World Cup Fans
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FIFA has handed Brazil's CazéTV the rights to stream all 104 games of the 2026 World Cup — making it the first digital-only platform to carry an entire World Cup in the world's most soccer-obsessed nation. The platform is run by Casimiro Miguel, a 32-year-old journalist turned streamer with 27.6 million YouTube subscribers, according to CT Insider.
The deal is part of FIFA's biggest push ever to win over younger fans. FIFA expects record revenues of $13 billion for the 2023–2026 cycle — a 72% jump over the last cycle. Media rights alone are projected to top $3.8 billion for 2026, per NewsNation.
How a Bedroom Streamer Built a World Cup Network
CazéTV was born in November 2022 as a test. FIFA gave Casimiro Miguel's platform, backed by agency LiveMode, rights to 22 matches of the Qatar World Cup. The gamble paid off fast. During the Brazil-Croatia quarter-final, CazéTV pulled 6.5 million viewers at the same time — a YouTube world record, according to Times Union.
CazéTV gained 5.5 million new subscribers in a single month during Qatar 2022. By July 2025, LiveMode had locked down rights for all 104 matches of the expanded 2026 tournament. The 2026 event features 48 teams — up from 32 in 2022 — which means 40 more games for streamers to broadcast and monetize.
Why FIFA Walked Away From Traditional TV in Brazil
The shift was driven by money and a standoff. Brazil's dominant broadcaster, Grupo Globo, refused to meet FIFA's asking price as linear TV viewership declined. FIFA responded by splitting the rights. Globo kept a non-exclusive deal covering 52 matches, including all Brazil games. CazéTV got the full 104-game digital window, per Big Rapids News.
Sergio Lopes, co-founder of LiveMode, explained the logic simply. "This audience is younger and doesn't just want to watch a match," Lopes said. "They want to participate in the conversation, interact in real time, and feel like they are part of a community." Research backs him up. According to Ampere Analysis, 38% of Brazilian sports fans aged 18–24 watched CazéTV last month, compared to just 27% of fans aged 35–64.
YouTube, TikTok, and the '10-Minute Appetizer' Strategy
FIFA also signed a deal with YouTube to let rights-holding broadcasters stream the first 10 minutes of every match live on the platform — free, for anyone in the world. FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafström called it part of FIFA's "ambition to maximize the tournament's impact across the ever-evolving media landscape," according to CT Insider. It is the first time World Cup games will also appear live on TikTok, per FOX4 Kansas City.
Analysts call the YouTube clip a clever hook. The idea is to pull in casual viewers, then convert them into subscribers for official apps or networks. The strategy reflects a broader truth: younger fans will not pay for a cable package just to watch soccer. Free, digital, and community-driven is the new default.
Ronaldo's Investment Signals a Global Expansion Push
The CazéTV model is spreading. In December 2025, LiveMode launched LiveModeTV in Portugal, securing rights to 34 World Cup matches. In May 2026, Cristiano Ronaldo acquired a significant stake in LiveMode, adding major financial firepower to the creator-led approach. FIFA is now eyeing the same model for the 2027 Women's World Cup and the 2028 LA Olympics, per Big Rapids News.
Not everyone is cheering. Critics say CazéTV's broadcasts are "stuffed with betting odds" and that its informal style cheapens the prestige of the World Cup. In response, the platform reportedly toned down its humor for 2026 to appeal to a wider audience. For FIFA, though, the numbers tell the story. Free, digital, and creator-driven is where the next billion fans live.
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