The battle for the next phase of sports broadcasting is beginning to take shape as streaming giants Netflix, Disney and YouTube prepare to compete for FIFA World Cup US media rights for the US for the 2030 and 2034.
According to a CNBC report, the rights package could be worth between US$1.5 billion and US$2 billion per tournament, making it one of the most valuable sports media deals ever negotiated in the United States.
Discussions between FIFA & prospective bidders are expected to start within the next three months.
The move signals the growing importance of live sports in attracting subscribers and advertising revenue as streaming platforms continue to challenge traditional television broadcasters.
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FIFA Plans to Sell English and Spanish Rights Together
One of the biggest changes under consideration is FIFA’s plan to bundle the English-language and Spanish-language US broadcasting rights into a single package. Previous tournaments have sold these rights separately.
The combined approach is expected to increase competition among bidders while simplifying the rights structure.
Executives at different media companies are reportedly preparing budgets of US$1.5 billion to US$2 billion for each tournament across both language rights.
The package would be a sharp jump from current deals. Fox reportedly paid US$485 million for the English-language rights to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, while NBCUniversal’s Telemundo secured the Spanish-language rights for about US$600 million.
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Streaming Platforms See Football as a Growth Engine
Netflix, Disney and Alphabet-owned YouTube see the FIFA World Cup as a rare opportunity to strengthen their streaming businesses with premium live sports. Disney could also distribute matches through ESPN and ABC, offering FIFA a mix of streaming and traditional television reach.
Amazon and Apple are also viewed as potential contenders, although neither has formally entered the process. The expected price tag may discourage some traditional broadcasters, with NBCUniversal reportedly unlikely to match a deal worth US$2 billion or more.
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What Does It Mean for the Media Industry?
The bidding race highlights a transition in global sports broadcasting, as streaming services invest heavily in exclusive live events to retain viewers & attract new subscribers.
For FIFA, packaging its biggest tournament in a new way could unlock significantly higher revenue while reshaping how millions of fans watch football over the next decade.
The outcome of FIFA’s next media rights auction will be closely watched across the broadcast and streaming industries. Beyond football, the deal is expected to influence how major sporting events are packaged, priced and delivered to digital audiences in the years ahead.
Samarjit Kaur is a journalist and communications professional covering technology & emerging digital trends. With a focus on clarity and context, she reports on developments shaping industries and governance. When not reporting, she chooses to plug-in and relax on her playlists and plan her next bucket-list trips!
