FIFA Eyes New Media Partner as Disney and Netflix Prepare for $2 Billion World Cup Rights Battle

FIFA is shifting its approach for the next World Cup cycle, moving away from Fox, which has held U.S. broadcast rights for the past ten years. With soccer's popularity rising rapidly in America, FIFA is aiming to secure a more lucrative deal by attracting new media giants.

Major Players Enter Bidding War for 2030 Broadcast Rights

Reports indicate that Netflix, Disney, and YouTube are gearing up to challenge Fox for the rights to air the 2030 FIFA World Cup, marking the tournament's centennial edition. According to CNBC's Alex Sherman, this bidding war could push the value of the media rights deal close to $2 billion.

Negotiations to Begin Soon

The talks for these broadcast rights are expected to start shortly after the current World Cup ends. FIFA plans to consolidate English and Spanish-language rights under a single partner in the U.S., a change from the current arrangement where Fox controls English broadcasts and NBC Universal’s Telemundo handles Spanish.

Time Zones Could Impact Valuation

The 2030 and 2034 World Cups will be played in time zones less convenient for American audiences, potentially lowering the price broadcasters are willing to pay. This echoes recent challenges FIFA faced in India and China, where awkward match timings delayed media rights deals in those massive markets.