The battle for the U.S. media rights to the 2030 and 2034 FIFA World Cups is shaping up to be one of the biggest sports broadcasting deals in recent history.
According to a report from CNBC Sport, Netflix, Disney, and Alphabet-owned YouTube are among the companies interested in acquiring the rights, potentially ending Fox’s long-standing hold on the tournament in the United States.
Industry executives are reportedly budgeting between $1.5 billion and $2 billion for each tournament’s U.S. rights, reflecting the growing value of live sports content in the streaming era. Formal discussions between FIFA and prospective broadcasters are expected to begin within the next few months.
FIFA’s new rights strategy could increase competition
Unlike previous World Cup rights deals, FIFA has reportedly informed potential bidders that it intends to sell English- and Spanish-language U.S. broadcast rights as a single package.
According to CNBC Sport, the move is designed to maximize the value of the rights by encouraging larger bids from companies seeking nationwide reach.
For the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Fox secured the English-language rights, while NBCUniversal’s Telemundo acquired the Spanish-language package. Selling both together for future tournaments could significantly alter the competitive terrain.
Representatives for FIFA, Netflix, Disney, and YouTube declined to comment on the report, according to CNBC Sport.
Streaming platforms see the World Cup as a major opportunity
The reported interest highlights how valuable premium live sports have become for streaming services looking to attract and retain subscribers. Netflix has already strengthened its relationship with FIFA after securing the rights to the 2027 and 2031 FIFA Women’s World Cup, while Disney could potentially air matches across ESPN, ABC, and its streaming platforms.
The outlet also noted that Amazon and Apple could emerge as additional bidders. Amazon already holds UEFA Champions League rights in the United Kingdom, while Apple has an established partnership with Major League Soccer through MLS Season Pass.
The growing list of interested companies could create one of the most competitive media rights auctions FIFA has ever overseen.
Strong World Cup ratings continue to drive media value
The enormous audiences generated during the 2026 FIFA World Cup are believed to be a key factor behind the soaring valuations.
According to Fox Sports, the United States’ match against Bosnia and Herzegovina became the most-watched English-language soccer broadcast in U.S. history, while combined English- and Spanish-language audiences for the U.S. versus Belgium match were estimated at nearly 48 million viewers, based on figures reported by AdImpact and cited by CNBC Sport.
Although the 2030 FIFA World Cup in Morocco, Portugal, and Spain, along with the 2034 tournament in Saudi Arabia, will present less favorable viewing times for American audiences, industry observers believe the tournament’s global appeal and advertising potential will continue driving record-breaking media rights values.
