FIFA has officially opened the bidding for U.S. media rights to the 2030 men’s World Cup — and streaming giants Netflix and YouTube are among the suitors, setting up a potential $2 billion bidding war.
2030 World Cup (Credits: Deadline)
FIFA Launches Tender for 2030 and 2034 Rights
FIFA launched an invitation to tender on Thursday for media rights in the United States and Puerto Rico for the 2030 World Cup, along with an option to secure the 2034 edition. The bid submission deadline is November 19, and FIFA plans to choose a winner by the end of the year.
FIFA said it is open to “innovative approaches” to reach large audiences. Media executives are reportedly budgeting between $1.5 billion and $2 billion per tournament, according to CNBC — far above the cost of current deals. FIFA hasn’t sold U.S. men’s World Cup TV rights since 2011.
Netflix, YouTube, Fox, ESPN All in the Mix
Incumbents Fox and NBCUniversal’s Telemundo want to retain the rights, while ESPN has said it is interested in bidding. Netflix — which just secured the 2030 tournament rights for Spain and Andorra, plus the 2027 and 2031 Women’s World Cups — is a likely bidder, alongside YouTube, Amazon, Apple and Disney.
Last summer’s 2026 World Cup broke U.S. ratings records: matches averaged 13.5 million viewers, up 166% from 2022, with the Spain-Argentina final drawing a combined 62.8 million viewers.
Bundled English and Spanish Rights
FIFA would prefer to sell the English- and Spanish-language rights packaged together to one partner — a departure from 2026, when Fox held English rights and Telemundo held Spanish. The bundled package could price out some traditional broadcasters, while FIFA says it’s willing to listen to joint offers between a streamer and a traditional broadcaster.
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Source: Deadline / Reuters — read the full story there.
