TV rights, online criticism, visa issues: Michou faces obstacles in first World Cup 2026 match for M6

Michou did not have to wait long to face the realities on the ground. Present at MetLife Stadium in New York for France’s first match against Senegal (3-1) on Tuesday, the content creator mandated by M6 to cover the 2026 World Cup saw his launch turn into controversy on several fronts simultaneously.

The first difficulty came from broadcasting rights. Despite privileged access to the New York venue, Michou found himself unable to publish footage filmed inside the stadium, with rights holders forbidding him from sharing anything on his own social media accounts. “I’m not allowed to post them on my networks, but they’ll be released on M6, I’ll share that with you, I filmed tons of crazy stuff,” he explained in an Instagram story. In the meantime, his community had to make do with behind-the-scenes content — predictions, a tour of the TV control room, the arrival of the France team bus — deemed insufficient by part of his audience.

On Instagram and TikTok, negative comments quickly poured in: “Honestly, what’s the point?”, “Fake job nonsense”, “What’s he for?” The criticism, already numerous when his participation in M6’s coverage was announced, thus continued after his actual debut.

A legal controversy was added to these tensions. According to Spanish newspaper El País, some content creators mobilized by FIFA could find themselves in an irregular situation in the United States, as their tourist visa does not allow them to engage in paid activity on American soil, even on behalf of a foreign company. When questioned by SportBusiness, M6 stated that this issue did not concern Michou.

The 24-year-old YouTuber is expected in Philadelphia on June 22 for France’s second match against Iraq. He will not, however, be present for the final group stage match against Norway on June 26, due to a commercial commitment previously scheduled — an absence that will likely fuel further questions about the coherence of his mission.