Matches at this summer’s World Cup could be shown on the BBC and ITV’s YouTube channels as part of a new broadcast deal with FIFA. The broadcasters have been granted permission to show five matches in full on YouTube, as well as the first 10 minutes of all 104 games from the tournament.

The idea is that it could help appeal to younger audiences who use YouTube as their main viewing platform. Rights holders are allowed to show 10 matches on their YouTube accounts, but as the British broadcast deal is split between two companies, they would be granted five games each.

BBC and ITV bosses haven’t fully confirmed the move yet, as they would have to enter discussions about which matches they intend to show. After that, they’d have to go to FIFA with their picks, so that the governing body can confirm them.

There is speculation, according to The Times, that the BBC and ITV could even chance their arm with the final, but that could be deemed a step too far. It all comes after FIFA revealed that YouTube would be a ‘preferred platform’ for the tournament.

Other YouTube permissions from FIFA include showing extended highlights, interviews and other content on their accounts, as has been standard practice at recent tournaments. Another includes allowing social media influencers to present matchday coverage specifically on the platform if they see fit.

Mattias Grafstrom, the secretary general of FIFA, said: [The agreement] will engage global fans in ways never seen before. This collaboration with YouTube reinforces our ambition to maximise the tournament’s impact across the ever-evolving media landscape, offering fans everywhere easy access to an immersive view of the biggest single-sport event in history.”

There is a ‘preferred platform’ agreement with TikTok, but that only covers the livestreaming part of matches. The full matches will be broadcast on television as usual, as well as the BBC and ITV’s respective streaming sites.