Netflix, Disney eye FIFA World Cup rights as battle with Fox looms

MUMBAI: The next World Cup battle may begin long before kick-off. This time, the fiercest contest is shaping up in boardrooms rather than on the pitch. Global media companies are lining up for what could become one of the most expensive sports broadcasting auctions in history, with Netflix, The Walt Disney Company and Alphabet-owned YouTube preparing to challenge Fox Corporation for the U.S. media rights to the 2030 and 2034 FIFA World Cup, according to a CNBC report.

Amazon and Apple are also expected to weigh participation, potentially intensifying competition as streaming platforms continue to strengthen their live sports portfolios.

According to CNBC, FIFA is expected to begin formal discussions with prospective broadcasters within the next three months. Unlike previous tournaments, the governing body is likely to bundle the English- and Spanish-language U.S. rights into a single package instead of selling them separately, a move that could significantly increase the value of the deal.

For the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Fox secured the English-language rights for USD 485 million, while NBCUniversal-owned Telemundo acquired the Spanish-language package for around USD 600 million. Media executives are now budgeting between $1.5 billion and $2 billion for the combined U.S. rights for each of the 2030 and 2034 tournaments, reflecting the surging value of premium live sports.

The existing agreement traces its roots to a deal negotiated in 2011 before being extended to include the 2026 tournament.

Streaming companies see the World Cup as a powerful subscriber acquisition tool. Disney could distribute matches across ESPN, ABC and its streaming services, while Netflix has already strengthened its relationship with FIFA after securing U.S. rights for the 2027 and 2031 FIFA Women’s World Cups. According to CNBC, FIFA, Netflix, Disney and YouTube declined to comment on the reported discussions.

Bundling both language rights into a single package could help FIFA maximise revenues while eliminating overlap between broadcasters covering the same matches. CNBC reported that if the price approaches $2 billion, NBCUniversal may opt not to bid, potentially ending Telemundo’s long-running association with the men’s World Cup.

The 2030 FIFA World Cup will be hosted by Morocco, Portugal and Spain, while Saudi Arabia will stage the 2034 edition. Although both tournaments are expected to present less favourable viewing hours for American audiences than the 2026 competition, FIFA appears confident demand will remain strong. Robust television ratings for recent World Cup matches, including several involving non-U.S. teams, have reinforced the tournament’s status as one of the world’s most valuable sporting properties.

As streaming giants deepen their investment in live sports, the contest for football’s biggest prize is increasingly becoming a battle for screens as much as for silverware.