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Fox, ESPN, and Netflix Vie for U.S. Rights to 2030 and 2034 FIFA World Cups
Fox Sports and ESPN are already lining up for the world’s biggest sporting event, as FIFA prepares to open negotiations for the U.S. broadcast rights to the 2030 and 2034 men’s World Cups.
In a CNBC panel held in New York City, ESPN chair Jimmy Pitaro told reporters that the network’s Worldwide Leader “of course” expects to compete for the rights, calling the event a “juggernaut.” Pitaro also praised Fox’s coverage of the 2026 tournament, which was hosted on North American soil. He said he was “very impressed” with Fox’s production and added, “I don’t know, honestly, how they could have done better with the product.” ESPN’s U.S. rights to the World Cup ran from 1994 to 2014 before the rights were awarded to Fox in a process that critics described as lacking competition.
Separately, Fox Sports president and executive producer Brad Zager confirmed that the network is “absolutely” hoping to retain the U.S. rights for the 2030 and 2034 tournaments. Zager called the World Cup a “signature building block” for Fox and said the network will be part of the negotiations when they begin. Fox’s 2026 coverage was the most‑watched sports event on U.S. television that summer.
The 2030 World Cup will be hosted jointly by Spain, Portugal and Morocco, while Saudi Arabia will host the 2034 edition. FIFA has announced that it will package the English‑language rights, currently held by Fox, with the Spanish‑language rights, currently held by NBC Universal‑owned Telemundo, into a single deal. The association is expected to seek an annual payment of between $1.5 billion and $2 billion, a significant increase from the combined value of Fox’s and Telemundo’s current agreements.
The expanded 64‑team format for 2030 and 2034 may also force FIFA to consider multiple broadcast partners if early‑round matches overlap. This possibility adds complexity to the negotiations and could open the door for additional bidders.
Netflix’s interest in the World Cup has been noted in industry circles. The streaming giant secured U.S. rights to the women’s tournament in 2027 and 2031 and has expressed a desire to add the men’s event to its portfolio. According to reports, Netflix executives openly coveted the men’s World Cup after the success of the 2026 coverage.
The current landscape places Fox and ESPN in direct competition, with both networks having a history of high‑profile football coverage. Fox’s recent success in 2026 and ESPN’s legacy of broadcasting the event give each a strong case. Netflix’s entry could further fragment the market, especially if FIFA’s packaging strategy leads to separate deals for English and Spanish rights.
As FIFA moves toward finalizing the rights package, the U.S. broadcasters will need to weigh the financial commitment against the potential audience reach and advertising revenue. The 2030 and 2034 tournaments are expected to draw global viewership in the billions, and the U.S. market remains a key revenue source.
The next steps include formal negotiations that are expected to begin later this year. The broadcasters will also be preparing for the 2026 World Cup’s legacy, which may influence their proposals. No definitive agreements have been announced, and the outcome will depend on FIFA’s final terms and the competitive dynamics among the major U.S. media companies.
In summary, Fox and ESPN are positioning themselves as primary contenders for the U.S. broadcast rights to the 2030 and 2034 FIFA World Cups, while Netflix’s interest adds a new dimension to the bidding process. FIFA’s planned packaging of English and Spanish rights and the expanded tournament format may lead to multiple partners, potentially reshaping the U.S. sports media landscape for the next decade.
In a CNBC panel held in New York City, ESPN chair Jimmy Pitaro told reporters that the network’s Worldwide Leader “of course” expects to compete for the rights, calling the event a “juggernaut.” Pitaro also praised Fox’s coverage of the 2026 tournament, which was hosted on North American soil. He said he was “very impressed” with Fox’s production and added, “I don’t know, honestly, how they could have done better with the product.” ESPN’s U.S. rights to the World Cup ran from 1994 to 2014 before the rights were awarded to Fox in a process that critics described as lacking competition.
Separately, Fox Sports president and executive producer Brad Zager confirmed that the network is “absolutely” hoping to retain the U.S. rights for the 2030 and 2034 tournaments. Zager called the World Cup a “signature building block” for Fox and said the network will be part of the negotiations when they begin. Fox’s 2026 coverage was the most‑watched sports event on U.S. television that summer.
The 2030 World Cup will be hosted jointly by Spain, Portugal and Morocco, while Saudi Arabia will host the 2034 edition. FIFA has announced that it will package the English‑language rights, currently held by Fox, with the Spanish‑language rights, currently held by NBC Universal‑owned Telemundo, into a single deal. The association is expected to seek an annual payment of between $1.5 billion and $2 billion, a significant increase from the combined value of Fox’s and Telemundo’s current agreements.
The expanded 64‑team format for 2030 and 2034 may also force FIFA to consider multiple broadcast partners if early‑round matches overlap. This possibility adds complexity to the negotiations and could open the door for additional bidders.
Netflix’s interest in the World Cup has been noted in industry circles. The streaming giant secured U.S. rights to the women’s tournament in 2027 and 2031 and has expressed a desire to add the men’s event to its portfolio. According to reports, Netflix executives openly coveted the men’s World Cup after the success of the 2026 coverage.
The current landscape places Fox and ESPN in direct competition, with both networks having a history of high‑profile football coverage. Fox’s recent success in 2026 and ESPN’s legacy of broadcasting the event give each a strong case. Netflix’s entry could further fragment the market, especially if FIFA’s packaging strategy leads to separate deals for English and Spanish rights.
As FIFA moves toward finalizing the rights package, the U.S. broadcasters will need to weigh the financial commitment against the potential audience reach and advertising revenue. The 2030 and 2034 tournaments are expected to draw global viewership in the billions, and the U.S. market remains a key revenue source.
The next steps include formal negotiations that are expected to begin later this year. The broadcasters will also be preparing for the 2026 World Cup’s legacy, which may influence their proposals. No definitive agreements have been announced, and the outcome will depend on FIFA’s final terms and the competitive dynamics among the major U.S. media companies.
In summary, Fox and ESPN are positioning themselves as primary contenders for the U.S. broadcast rights to the 2030 and 2034 FIFA World Cups, while Netflix’s interest adds a new dimension to the bidding process. FIFA’s planned packaging of English and Spanish rights and the expanded tournament format may lead to multiple partners, potentially reshaping the U.S. sports media landscape for the next decade.
