Netflix Disney YouTube in $2 billion US Cup rights bidding

A major bidding war is taking shape for the U.S. broadcast rights to the 2030 and 2034 FIFA World Cups, with streaming giants Netflix, Disney, and Alphabet's YouTube reportedly preparing offers that could reach up to $2 billion per tournament. According to industry reports, formal discussions between FIFA and potential media partners are expected to begin within the next three months, following the conclusion of the current 2026 tournament hosted across the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

FIFA is seeking to capitalize on soaring American interest in soccer, evidenced by record-breaking viewership for the 2026 World Cup. In a significant strategic shift, the organization has indicated it will likely sell the English-language and Spanish-language U.S. broadcasting rights as a single, combined package. This move is designed to increase the overall value of the deal and could fundamentally alter the competitive landscape. For the current tournament, Fox holds the English-language rights for a reported $485 million, while NBCUniversal's Telemundo secured the Spanish-language rights for $600 million.

The bundling of language rights could potentially exclude some traditional...