TikTok has been picked by FIFA as the first “preferred platform” for video content on social media at a men’s World Cup
ByGRAHAM DUNBAR AP sports writer
GENEVA — GENEVA (AP) — TikTok was picked by FIFA as the first “preferred platform” for video content on social media at a men’s World Cup, the soccer body said Thursday.
The World Cup tie-in will see creators get special access at the 48-nation tournament being co-hosted in 16 cities — 11 in the United States, three in Mexico and two in Canada — from June 11 to July 19.
FIFA said World Cup broadcast rights holders can livestream parts of the 104 games at a dedicated hub on the TikTok app, which has more than 170 million users in the U.S.
“Additionally, a wide group of creators will receive the opportunity to use and co-create FIFA archival footage,” it said.
FIFA did not state the value of the deal, or details of any tender process and rival bidders. YouTube had a low-level sponsor deal that included access for creators at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
What kind of live content can be streamed this year, at a tournament where commercial partners’ exclusive rights are fiercely protected, also was not specified by FIFA.
TikTok’s partnership with MLS and Apple TV led to the pl