DAZN has secured an exclusive option to stream the next men’s Club World Cup globally in 2029, deepening its relationship with FIFA after taking over worldwide rights to the tournament’s inaugural expanded edition in 2025.
The Saudi Arabia-backed company agreed to pay $1bn for the 2025 rights after several traditional broadcasters and streaming services declined to bid. Apple TV had previously held talks with FIFA but withdrew over a disagreement about the valuation, while a later attempt to sell the rights region by region failed to produce an agreement.
DAZN’s late bid was facilitated by Saudi investment group Surj Sports Investment, which acquired a 10% stake in the company. The deal effectively funded FIFA’s $1bn prize pool for the 2025 competition, with winners Chelsea receiving about $114m.
The financial terms of the 2029 option, including when it must be exercised, have not been disclosed. The agreement gives FIFA additional time to prepare for the second edition of the expanded tournament, whose commercial ambitions have been accompanied by political and organisational difficulties.
Planning for 2029 remains incomplete, with no final decisions on venues, format or the number of participating teams. FIFA and the clubs have held longstanding discussions about increasing the field to 48 teams.
The tournament’s development has also been affected by tensions between FIFA and the European Football Clubs group. EFC has criticised delays in distributing $250m in solidarity payments owed to clubs from the 2025 competition. Although relations have reportedly improved since FIFA withdrew its Forward Enterprise plan, the two sides have not settled the details of a proposed joint venture to oversee the event’s commercial operations.
Morocco is considered a leading potential host for 2029, particularly if Gianni Infantino is re-elected as FIFA president. A tournament jointly hosted by Morocco and Spain is another possibility, while Portugal is understood to have reservations about staging the event. FIFA’s decision to award the first women’s Club World Cup to the United States has also strengthened Morocco’s position, as the US had been considered for the 2029 men’s tournament.
Sources: The Guardian Sport.