In anticipation of the opening match of the World Cup 2026, FIFA and YouTube announced the first-ever YouTube FIFA Creator Cup on June 10. Viewers will get to meet the global creators who will share match-day events, local food culture, and behind-the-scenes moments from the tournament.
Whether you are a die-hard tactician, a casual fan looking for quick highlights, or a creator looking to join the action, here is your complete guide to the YouTube FIFA Creator Cup.
What is the YouTube FIFA Creator Cup?
The YouTube FIFA Creator Cup is an exhibition football match featuring content creators, elite athletes and celebrities that will livestream globally on the red platform. Part of YouTube's preferred platform partnership with FIFA, these influencers will lace up their boots and face off in a game that is bound to engage global audiences.
YouTube FIFA Creator Cup dates and venue
The inaugural edition of this influencer football match will be held on July 12 in New York City. The Big Apple is one of the venues for the World Cup 2026, with the final scheduled to take place at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, around 10 kilometers from downtown Manhattan.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Event | YouTube FIFA Creator Cup |
| Date | July 12, 2026 |
| Location | New York City |
| Livestream | FIFA YouTube Channel |
| Participants | At least 24 creators |
| Connected Event | FIFA World Cup 2026 |
YouTube FIFA Creator Cup participants
The creator lineup for the YouTube FIFA Creator Cup was also revealed in the official announcement. It consisted of 24 streamers/groups who will not only participate in the match but also attend FIFA World Cup 2026 matches and produce coverage for audiences on the platform.
- Anwar Jibawi
- Ara y Fer (Araceli and Fernanda Hernández)
- Ashley Alexander
- Celine Dept
- Courtney "Courtreezy" Adanna
- Donald "Deestroying" De La Haye
- Haley Kalil
- Horchata Soto
- Howie "Howieazy" Meli
- Sandra "Jeenie Weenie" Kwon
- Jenny Hoyos
- Jesse "Jesser" Riedel
- Kelly Wakasa
- Kristina "Kika Kim" Kim
- Kyle "KYLECTRIX" Kusumo
- Kwak Yoon-gy
- Max "Max the Meat Guy" Greb
- Neagle (Gabriel Neox & Eagle Trindade)
- Noor "Noor Stars" Naim
- The Sidemen
- Jorge "Sonrixs" Ramírez
- Fukuo "TokaiOnAirRYO" Ryo
- Vinicius "Viniblogger" Schunke
- Zhongni "Zhong" Zhu
The massive integration of these YouTube creators is what truly sets the 2026 World Cup apart. A diverse, international cohort of over 350 million combined subscribers has been hand-picked to cover the tournament from the ground up.
These creators span 11 countries and four continents, bringing unique perspectives on everything from tactical breakdowns to stadium food reviews. Some of the key creators to watch are Haley Kalil and Deestroying, who are sports pundits bringing expert analysis and fan reactions.
Jesser & TokaiOnAirRYO will be good choices for on-the-ground coverage capturing the electric atmosphere in host cities. Celine Dept will focus on the Shorts community with high-energy, bite-sized content, while Max the Meat Guy is likely to review stadium food and culture, adding a culinary twist to the tournament.
Last but not least, we have The Sidemen, who have a history of influencer-led soccer events that have raised millions for charity and attracted thousands upon thousands of viewers. All these creators will be documenting the "human side" of the tournament, offering authentic, fan-centric content that traditional broadcasts often miss.
YouTube FIFA Creator Cup live broadcasts
FIFA's official YouTube channel will be the hub where football followers can watch this exhibition match. Moreover, all the participants will be community streaming the action from their personal channels and from their points of view, so there is no shortage of options for fans to catch the game live.
YouTube and FIFA's landmark digital broadcasting deal
For the first time in history, YouTube was named a preferred platform for the FIFA World Cup, transforming the video giant into a "digital stadium" for fans worldwide. From June 11 to July 19, millions of viewers can access live match openings, exclusive behind-the-scenes content, and the inaugural YouTube FIFA Creator Cup all in one place.
As part of its landmark deal with FIFA, YouTube is enabling official media partners to broadcast the first ten minutes of every single match live directly on their YouTube channels. This "live look-in" feature allows fans to experience the pre-match atmosphere and the opening kickoff in real time, with some partners even streaming select full matches on the platform.
Unlock full livestreaming platform statistics with Streams Charts PRO. Access in-depth analytics across multiple platforms and explore a global database of over 60 million channels.
The most prominent regional example is in Brazil, where all matches are available for free on the popular CazéTV channel. Run by Casimiro Miguel, it is one of the most recognizable sports-related channels in the livestreaming world and ranks among the three most-watched channels so far in 2026.
Header, graphic image via The YouTube Blog
