FIFA Prepares for Major Shift in World Cup Broadcast Rights as Disney and Netflix Enter $2 Billion Bidding Battle

The FIFA World Cup broadcast rights in the United States have been with Fox for the past ten years. Now, as the next World Cup cycle approaches, FIFA is considering a fresh media deal that could significantly change the landscape.

With soccer's popularity rising steadily in the US, FIFA appears ready to move beyond its existing partnership. The organization aims to attract some of the biggest names in media for the 2030 World Cup broadcasting rights.

Big Names Ready for a Bidding War

According to CNBC's Alex Sherman, major platforms like Netflix, Disney, and YouTube are preparing to challenge Fox in what could become a fierce bidding war. This competition is spurred by the significance of the 2030 World Cup, which marks the tournament's centennial anniversary.

FIFA is reportedly aiming for a media rights deal valued between $1.5 billion and $2 billion. Negotiations are expected to start within months after the current World Cup concludes.

Unified Broadcast Rights in English and Spanish

An unusual detail in the upcoming deal is FIFA's intention to offer both English and Spanish language broadcast rights to a single partner. Presently, Fox holds the English rights, while NBC Universal owns the Spanish rights via Telemundo.

This shift would mark a departure from the current arrangement and could reshape how fans access the tournament in the US.

Time Zones Could Impact Bidding Values

The 2030 and 2034 World Cups are slated to take place in time zones less favorable for American viewers. This factor might reduce how much broadcasters are willing to pay compared to FIFA's expectations.

Earlier this year, delays in securing media rights deals in markets like India and China underscored how inconvenient match times can affect negotiations in large territories.