FIFA Eyes New Broadcast Deal as Disney and Netflix Prepare $2 Billion Bidding Battle for World Cup Rights

The FIFA organization is setting its sights on a fresh media deal for the upcoming World Cup cycle, moving away from Fox, which has held U.S. broadcast rights for the past ten years. As football's popularity surges in the United States, FIFA wants a new partner to match the growing audience.

Major Media Giants Ready to Compete for 2030 Rights

Reports indicate that some of the world's largest media companies are preparing for a heated bidding war over the rights to the 2030 World Cup. Netflix, Disney, and YouTube are all reportedly interested in challenging Fox for the chance to air the tournament marking its 100th anniversary.

According to CNBC’s Alex Sherman, FIFA expects to strike a deal valued between $1.5 billion and $2 billion. Negotiations are expected to begin shortly after the current World Cup ends.

One Partner for English and Spanish Broadcasts in the U.S.

Unlike the current setup where Fox holds English-language rights and NBC Universal’s Telemundo manages Spanish broadcasts, FIFA plans to award both language rights to a single partner in the United States. This move aims to streamline coverage but may shake up the familiar landscape for fans.

Time Zone Challenges Could Affect Bids

The 2030 and 2034 World Cups will take place in time zones that are less favorable for U.S. viewers, potentially reducing the value broadcasters are willing to pay. FIFA previously experienced delays securing deals in large markets like India and China because of inconvenient match timings, hinting this could be a recurring hurdle.