Streaming giants Netflix, Disney, and Alphabet’s YouTube are reportedly preparing to battle for the US broadcast rights to the 2030 and 2034 FIFA World Cups.
As the current tournament shatters viewership records across North America, FIFA are looking to capitalize on the soaring American interest in the global game.
According to CNBC, media executives are already budgeting between $1.5 billion and $2 billion for the US rights to each of the upcoming tournaments.
Discussions between FIFA and potential media partners are expected to begin within the next three months.
In a major shift that could trigger a massive bidding war, FIFA has alerted companies that the English and Spanish-language rights are likely to be sold as a single package.
For the current 2026 World Cup, the rights were sold separately – with Fox paying a reported $485 million for the English broadcasts and Telemundo securing the Spanish rights for $600 million.
FIFA are looking to capitalize on the soaring American interest in the World Cup
Netflix , Disney and Alphabet’s YouTube are preparing to battle for the US broadcast rights
Packaging the rights together could ice out NBCUniversal’s Telemundo from future tournaments, as the network is unlikely to compete for a $2 billion package.
While Disney, Netflix, and YouTube are eager to secure the rights to boost their streaming platforms, Amazon and Apple could also enter the fray.
Apple already holds the global broadcast rights for Major League Soccer, while Amazon currently streams the UEFA Champions League in the UK.
The skyrocketing valuation comes despite the fact that both the 2030 and 2034 tournaments will be played in less favorable time zones for American audiences.
The 2030 World Cup will be co-hosted by Morocco, Portugal, and Spain, creating a five to six-hour time difference for the US East Coast.
Meanwhile, the 2034 tournament will be held in Saudi Arabia, presenting an even steeper logistical challenge for prime-time American viewership.
Media executives are already budgeting between $1.5 billion and $2 billion for the US rights
However, the outsized success of the current 2026 tournament – hosted across the US, Mexico and Canada – has proven the massive domestic appetite for the sport.
The USMNT’s recent knockout-round loss to Belgium drew a staggering combined audience of 47.9 million viewers across English and Spanish broadcasts.
Prior to that, the team’s controversial victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina became the most-watched English-language soccer telecast in US history, averaging over 26 million viewers on Fox, alongside another 9.8 million on Telemundo and Peacock.
Even non-U.S. matches have proven to be ratings juggernauts, with Portugal’s clash against Croatia drawing 11 million viewers to become the most-watched non-finals game in U.S. history without the American squad.
