FIFA eyes US$2 billion for 2030 World Cup media rights

The 2030 bidding cycle signals a pivot point where streaming giants like Netflix and Amazon are no longer just supplemental partners but primary contenders for global sports anchors. For legacy broadcasters like Fox and NBCUniversal, the challenge is balancing rising NFL and World Series costs against FIFA’s likely push for a multi-platform distribution model that favors deep-pocketed SVOD services. The unbundling of Women’s World Cup rights suggests FIFA is successfully de-risking its portfolio by diversifying its partner base. Watch for whether FIFA formalizes the 64-team expansion, which would provide the inventory necessary to accommodate both a major linear network and a global streaming exclusive.

FIFA's aggressive 2030 valuation follows several strategic shifts in the soccer rights landscape. In December 2024, Netflix secured its first major live football acquisition by winning exclusive U.S. media rights for the 2027 and 2031 Women’s World Cups, per AP and The Guardian. This landmark deal unbundled the women’s tournament from the men's for the first time, establishing a precedent for FIFA to leverage high-reach streaming platforms to grow specific assets. Furthermore, FIFA recently sold global rights for the 2025 Club World Cup to DAZN, reinforcing its willingness to partner with digital-first distributors for major competitions.

Incumbent broadcasters are simultaneously shoring up their soccer portfolios to remain competitive. As of June 2026, Fox Sports extended its English-language U.S. rights to the Concacaf Gold Cup and added the Nations League through 2029, according to Football Business News. These renewals secure a baseline of international soccer inventory for Fox as it heads into the 2030 World Cup negotiations. Similarly, NBCUniversal’s Telemundo announced in July 2026 that it acquired exclusive U.S. Spanish-language rights for all UEFA men’s club competitions, including the Champions League, starting with the 2027-28 season.

The upcoming 2030 tournament, set to be hosted primarily in Morocco, Spain, and Portugal, marks the centenary of the World Cup. FIFA officially confirmed the host nations in December 2024, according to SI.com. The unique structure includes three opening matches in Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the first tournament in Montevideo. This multi-continent format presents complex scheduling and production challenges that will likely influence how potential bidders like ESPN, Netflix, and Apple value the distribution rights.