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10/13/2026 08:11:00
Printable Page
10/13 08:10 CDT Netflix buys 2030 World Cup broadcast rights in co-host and
defending champion Spain
Netflix buys 2030 World Cup broadcast rights in co-host and defending champion
Spain
MADRID (AP) --- Netflix bought exclusive rights to broadcast the 2030 World Cup
in co-host Spain on Tuesday in a deal that lets a free-to-air public
broadcaster show games each day including the defending champion's.
Netflix said in a statement it will stream all 104 games live during the
48-team tournament that Spain will co-host with Portugal and Morocco, after the
opening three games are played in South America.
The value of the deal was not disclosed. Spanish rights for the 104-game 2026
edition played across North America went to public broadcaster RTVE reportedly
for 55 million euros ($61.6 million).
The 2030 tournament is the centenary edition and FIFA is marking the
anniversary with original 1930 host Uruguay plus Argentina and Paraguay each
hosting one game. Several days later the main tournament leaves South America
and continues in southern Europe and north Africa.
Netflix's first major deal for a men's World Cup follows a 2024 agreement with
FIFA for U.S. rights to the Women's World Cup in 2027 and 2031. Next month,
FIFA is set to confirm the 2031 edition will be co-hosted by the U.S. with
Mexico, Costa Rica and Jamaica.
FIFA typically has picked public broadcasters for World Cup rights to maximize
audiences, and the Netflix deal for Spain includes a free-to-air promise.
"As part of the agreement, one match per matchday will be available for free in
Spain," Netflix said in a statement. "A package of matches, including every
Spain match, both semifinals and the final, will be made available for
broadcast on a national free-to-air broadcaster."
Spain and Morocco are competing to host the final in a decision that has become
linked to politics at national government and FIFA levels. FIFA's embattled
president Gianni Infantino has close ties to Moroccan soccer.
The final would be played either at Real Madrid's Santiago Bernabeu Stadium or
the 115,000-seat King Hassan II Stadium being built near Casablanca.
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See AP's full soccer coverage here
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