If you're anything like me, you probably remember when the Club World Cup was that weird little tournament in December that everyone kind of ignored unless Real Madrid was playing. Well, things have changed. Drastically. FIFA basically took the old format, blew it up, and rebuilt it into a massive, 32-team summer spectacle. It's now more like a mini-World Cup for clubs, and honestly, figuring out where to stream club world cup matches has become a bit of a puzzle because the broadcasting rights took a wild turn.
The biggest news? FIFA finally locked in a global deal that makes life surprisingly easy for once. No more hunting through sketchy reddit threads or paying for ten different regional sports networks.
The New Home for Every Single Match
For the 2025-2026 cycle, DAZN has emerged as the undisputed king of this tournament. They snagged the exclusive global rights to stream all 63 matches. This is a huge deal because, historically, soccer rights are a messy patchwork of different broadcasters depending on whether you’re in London, New York, or Sydney.
But here is the kicker that actually shocked me: it’s free.
Usually, "exclusive" means "pay us $20 a month," but FIFA and DAZN decided to make the inaugural 32-team edition free to view on the DAZN platform worldwide. You still have to create an account, which is a bit of a nag, but you don't need a credit card on file to watch the likes of Manchester City, Real Madrid, and Inter Miami battle it out.
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Watching in the United States
If you are in the States, you actually have more than one way to watch. While DAZN has the streaming side locked down, TNT Sports stepped in to bring the drama to traditional TV.
- DAZN App: This is your best bet for every single game. It works on Roku, Apple TV, your phone, and pretty much any smart TV made in the last five years.
- TNT, TBS, and truTV: These networks will televise 24 of the matches. If you still have cable or a live TV streamer like YouTube TV or Hulu + Live TV, you’ll see the big knockout games and the final here.
- Max (formerly HBO Max): Since Max is the streaming arm of TNT Sports, expect those 24 televised games to be available there as well.
Why the Apple TV Deal Didn't Happen
There was a ton of buzz early on about Apple TV+ buying the rights for something like $4 billion. Everyone thought it was a done deal because of the "Messi effect" and Apple’s existing MLS Season Pass. It fell through.
Why? Broadcasters reportedly balked at the price tag FIFA was asking for a brand-new, unproven format. FIFA wanted World Cup money, but the networks weren't sure if fans would actually tune in for a month-long club tournament in the middle of the summer. Eventually, FIFA pivoted to the DAZN partnership to ensure the widest possible reach, prioritizing eyeballs over a massive upfront rights fee.
Regional Breakdowns: UK, Australia, and Beyond
In the UK, the story is pretty much the same. While the BBC or ITV usually grabs the "big" international tournaments, they didn't bite on this one. You’ll be heading to the DAZN app. It’s a similar story in Australia, where Optus Sport—the usual home for football—doesn't have the exclusive this time.
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For fans in India, FanCode has also been mentioned as a secondary platform, but the "Free on DAZN" rule still applies globally. It’s rare to see FIFA go this hard on a single platform, but they really want this new format to succeed.
The Schedule and What to Expect
The tournament typically runs from mid-June to mid-July. Since it's being hosted in the United States this time, the kickoff times are actually decent for viewers in the Americas. However, if you're in Europe, get ready for some late nights.
- Group Stage: 32 teams split into 8 groups of 4.
- Knockout Round: Top two from each group move to a Round of 16.
- The Final: Played at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
One thing to keep in mind: there is no third-place playoff. It’s straight from the semifinals to the final, which keeps the schedule a bit tighter.
How to get the best stream
Since DAZN is handling a massive global load, you'll want to make sure your setup is solid. I’ve found that using a hardwired ethernet connection to your smart TV or console is 100% better than relying on Wi-Fi during high-traffic matches. If the stream starts buffering, the first thing I usually do is lower the resolution manually to 720p—it's better to have a slightly softer image than a frozen one right as someone's taking a penalty.
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Is FIFA+ still a thing?
Yes, but it's more of a backup or a place for highlights. While FIFA+ will host some content, the "live" heavy lifting is all on DAZN. If you’re looking for full match replays or "behind the scenes" stuff, the FIFA+ app is still worth having on your phone, but don't expect to watch the live final there without being redirected.
Actionable Next Steps
To make sure you don't miss the opening whistle, here is what you should do right now:
- Download the DAZN app on your primary viewing device.
- Register a free account now so you aren't fumbling with password resets five minutes before kickoff.
- Check the local listings if you’re in the US to see which games are on TNT; sometimes the "theatrical" TV production on cable is a bit more polished than the pure streaming feed.
- Sync your calendar. With 63 matches in 29 days, the schedule is relentless. Pick the games you actually care about so you don't burn out by the quarterfinals.
The 2025 expansion is a gamble for FIFA, but for us fans, the streaming situation is actually simpler than it has been in a decade. No blackouts, no complicated tiered subscriptions—just one app and a decent internet connection.