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Streaming platform DAZN has secured exclusive rights to cover next summer's expanded Club World Cup.
DAZN will show all 63 games of the expanded 32-team tournament, which takes place in the United States between July 15 and July 13 next year.
Every match will be broadcast live and free to watch on their digital platforms, while there is also the option for DAZN to outsource its rights to local broadcasters.
The deal is thought to be worth around €1bn (£829m), according to The BBC.
The partnership with FIFA begins on Thursday, when the draw for the tournament takes place.
Manchester City and Chelsea are the two English representatives after their Champions League triumphs in 2021 and 2023, with Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain also included.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino said: “I am delighted to announce that FIFA, in partnership with DAZN and Fifa+, will bring the best of club football anywhere in the world for free, meaning every football fan around the world can watch the best. Players from the top 32 clubs compete in the new FIFA Club World Cup to be the first official 'FIFA Club World Champions'.
“The new FIFA Club World Cup is an inclusive, merit-based tournament that will be the pinnacle of global club football, capturing the imagination of players and fans around the world.
“Through this broadcast deal, billions of football fans around the world can now watch the most accessible club football tournament ever – and for FREE. “Football unites the world.”
A new era of club football… 📺🍿#FIFACWC pic.twitter.com/4pCIE1WJpN
— FIFA Club World Cup (@FIFACWC) December 3, 2024
Controversy at the Club World Cup
FIFA has faced much opposition to the new-look tournament, with leagues and players' unions pursuing legal action over the tournament's scheduling.
Several players – including Liverpool's Alisson Becker and Manchester City's Rhodri – have expressed concerns about player welfare due to a packed football schedule.
There are just five weeks between the Club World Cup final and the first Premier League game of the 2025-26 season, which is scheduled for August 16.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has already called for a late start to the Premier League season for his team.
Meanwhile, City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne said: “The issue is that UEFA and FIFA keep adding extra matches, and we can raise concerns, but no solutions have been found. Money seems to speak louder than players' voices.
– said the spokesperson of FIFA BBC Sport: “The FIFA Club World Cup is not responsible for the calendar congestion. It is a competitive tournament that takes place once every four years and, as independent studies have confirmed, FIFA is only responsible for a small percentage of matches per season.
“FIFA cares about the welfare of the players. Following the decision taken earlier this year, FIFA is formalizing the Player Welfare Working Group, chaired by Arsene Wenger, to promote further global dialogue on player welfare issues with key stakeholders across football.
