FIFA Opens U.S. Bidding for 2030 and 2034 World Cup Media Rights
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FIFA has launched an invitation to tender for broadcasting rights to the 2030 FIFA World Cup in the United States and Puerto Rico, giving television networks and streaming platforms a chance to secure coverage of one of the world’s most-watched sporting events.
The bidding process also includes an option for interested companies to acquire media rights to the 2034 FIFA World Cup, which Saudi Arabia will host.
The announcement follows the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which generated record television audiences in the United States and increased interest in soccer across traditional broadcasting and digital streaming platforms.
According to FIFA, the 2026 tournament averaged 13.5 million viewers per match across television and streaming services during its 39-day schedule of 104 matches. The organization reported that viewership increased 166% compared with the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
FIFA also reported that every United States men’s national team match attracted more than 20 million viewers, while the tournament final averaged 63 million viewers, making it the most-watched soccer match in U.S. history, according to the organization.
FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafström said the tournament demonstrated the growing popularity of international soccer among American audiences.
“The FIFA World Cup 2026 belonged to the fans. They turned every match into a celebration of football and culture, and the atmosphere in the stadiums extended to millions of households across the United States,” Grafström said.
He added that FIFA intends to build on that audience growth through future broadcasting agreements that expand accessibility and incorporate new technologies.
“The next two FIFA World Cups will build on that momentum. We are looking for a partner who shares our commitment to innovation, who can bring every moment of the action to fans wherever and however they choose to watch, and who is committed to the next phase of football’s growth in North America,” Grafström said.
The competition for broadcasting rights could attract several major American media companies, including Fox, NBCUniversal’s Telemundo, Disney’s ESPN, Netflix, Amazon and YouTube.
Fox and Telemundo currently hold English- and Spanish-language broadcasting rights, respectively, for the 2026 tournament in the United States.
Industry estimates cited in reports surrounding the bidding process suggest the combined value of the available rights could range from $1.5 billion to $4 billion, depending on the structure of the agreements and whether the 2034 tournament is included.
Those projections represent a substantial increase over the estimated $425 million to $485 million associated with Fox’s previous World Cup broadcasting agreement. However, the figures remain estimates, and FIFA has not announced a final valuation or confirmed the financial terms of any future agreement.
The 2030 World Cup will be hosted primarily by Morocco, Portugal and Spain, with three commemorative matches scheduled in Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay to recognize the tournament’s centennial.
The inaugural FIFA World Cup took place in Uruguay in 1930, making the 2030 competition the 100th anniversary of international soccer’s premier tournament.
The 2034 World Cup will take place in Saudi Arabia, continuing FIFA’s expansion of the tournament into different international markets.
Through the tender process, FIFA will evaluate potential broadcasting partners based on their ability to provide comprehensive tournament coverage, reach audiences across multiple platforms, and generate revenue to support soccer development worldwide.
The selection process could also influence how American audiences watch future World Cup tournaments as streaming services increasingly compete with traditional television networks for major sports broadcasting rights.
