FIFA will allow certain sports betting platforms to livestream the World Cup and other events as the two industries continue to merge.
Key Takeaways
- Sportsbooks that partner with Stats Perform can receive FIFA’s data and streaming privileges.
- Stats Perform owns soccer data giant Opta Sports.
- The 2022 World Cup drew an estimated $1.8 billion in American wagers.
The deal, which was announced Monday, makes Stats Perform the exclusive betting data provider for FIFA competitions through 2029. Stats Perform encompasses several brands, including English soccer analytics company Opta Sports.
The agreement opens the door to sports betting platforms that offer streaming services to broadcast the World Cup, hosted in North America this summer, and other FIFA-sponsored events and competitions.
“It also grants exclusive betting rights to thousands of matches per season across FIFA Member Association competitions powered by FIFA+,” the governing body said.
Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
FIFA has already entered into numerous commercial gambling partnerships. However, it firmly prohibits players, officials, agents, and team members from participating in “betting, gambling, lotteries or similar events or transactions related to football matches or competitions,” according to The Associated Press.
FIFA deepens gambling ties
FIFA signed regional betting sponsors for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. The first was Kaizen Gaming-owned Betano, which was founded in Greece and operated in 12 countries across North America (Canada), South America, and Europe.
The new arrangement with Chicago-based Stats Perform will greatly expand FIFA’s reach beyond simple regional partnerships with new livestreaming and data services.
FanDuel, the American leader in online sports betting, utilizes Stats Perform’s data to ensure it has the most accurate odds possible. Several other prominent sportsbooks also have arrangements with Stats Perform, meaning the World Cup will be readily available for American consumers and bettors alike.
“(Stats Perform will share FIFA betting data with) licensed sports betting operators for modeling, trading, settlement and in-play front-end use,” the company said. “(Opta will supply betting partners with) official player statistics, insights, live scores and match trackers.”
Ready for positive reception
The World Cup begins June 11 at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. Matches will take place at 16 venues in 16 cities across Canada, Mexico, and the U.S., building up to the final at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
The 2022 World Cup final between Argentina and France drew a combined 25.8 million viewers across digital and streaming. That would’ve made it the eighth-most watched television event in 2025, only behind six NFL games, including the Super Bowl and Game 7 of the World Series. The American Gaming Association also estimated 20.5 million Americans wagered $1.8 billion during the tournament.
Spain (+450) tops World Cup odds at FanDuel. England (+600), France (+650), reigning champion Argentina (+800), Brazil (+800), and Portugal (+1,100) are the other top challengers.
