ZURICH – The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) has formally initiated the bidding process for the exclusive media rights to the 2030 men's World Cup in the United States and Puerto Rico. This marks the first open tender for U.S. men's FIFA World Cup media rights since 2011, attracting significant interest from both established broadcasters and major streaming services.
Major Players Eye Lucrative Deal
The auction is set to be highly competitive, with a host of prominent media companies reportedly vying for the rights. Among those expressing interest are streaming giants like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, and Disney. They join traditional broadcasters such as Fox and NBC Universal's Telemundo, who held the English and Spanish language rights for the 2026 tournament, respectively, and ESPN, which has also indicated its intent to bid.
FIFA Chief Business Officer Romy Gai stated the organization is open to "innovative approaches" to maximize audience reach, signaling that both linear television and digital streaming platforms will be considered. While FIFA reportedly favors a single partner for both English and Spanish language rights, it remains flexible, allowing for separate deals, combined television-and-streaming packages, or joint bids.
Scope of the Tender and Financial Projections
The primary focus of this tender is the 2030 World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by Spain, Portugal, and Morocco. However, FIFA is also accepting combined offers that include the rights for the 2034 World Cup, scheduled to take place in Saudi Arabia. This dual-tournament option could make the package even more appealing to potential partners.
Bids for the U.S. and Puerto Rico rights must be submitted by midnight on November 19. FIFA anticipates selecting its next media partner for the region before the end of 2026. Industry estimates suggest these rights could fetch between $1.5 billion and $2 billion, underscoring the immense value of global football's premier event.
Notably, Netflix has already secured the broadcast rights for the 2030 men’s World Cup in Spain, a deal that includes provisions for a free-to-air broadcaster to show at least one match daily.
What's Next for FIFA and Bidders?
Following the bid submission deadline, a FIFA delegation is expected to travel to the United States around Thanksgiving for in-person meetings with interested media companies. The outcome of this bidding war will significantly shape how American audiences consume future World Cup tournaments, potentially ushering in a new era of sports broadcasting dominated by streaming platforms.