FIFA has announced a free over-the-top (OTT) platform, FIFA+, to give fans a deeper connection to the sport.

The streaming platform will feature over 40,000 live matches in 2022, including every match from the men’s and women’s FIFA World Cups, archival footage dating back to the 1950s and FIFA+ originals, featuring Ronaldinho, Dani Alves, Ronaldo Nazário and more.

Commenting on FIFA+, FIFA director of strategy, Charlotte Burr, told reporters: “There is no plan to charge a subscription fee for the service, that doesn’t mean to say that we may not evolve over time should there be a value proposition that allows us to charge subscription if we step into premium rights or adopt other kind of models.”

“But there will always be a free experience on Fifa+,” she said.

FIFA president, Gianni Infantino, added: “FIFA+ represents the next step in our vision to make football truly global and inclusive, and it underpins FIFA’s core mission of expanding and developing football globally.”

“This project represents a cultural shift in the way different types of football fans want to connect with and explore the global game and has been a fundamental part of my Vision 2020-2023.

“It will accelerate the democratisation of football and we are delighted to share it with fans,” he said.

FIFA+ will be available across the web and mobile devices, and also in five languages, with a release date to be confirmed.

The announcement comes after Infantino denied claims that the global sporting body is set to announce a biennial world cup.