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MADRID — Netflix bought exclusive rights to broadcast the 2030 World Cup in co-host Spain on Tuesday in a deal that will allow the free public broadcaster to show matches every day including the defending champion.
Netflix said in a statement that all 104 games will be broadcast 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 contract was not disclosed. Spanish rights for the 104-match 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 hosts Uruguay as well as Argentina and Paraguay each hosting one match. Several days later the main tournament leaves South America and continues in southern Europe and northern Africa.
Netflix has its first major deal for the men’s World Cup after the 2024 agreement with FIFA for the US rights to the Women’s World Cup in 2027 and 2031. Next month, FIFA is set to confirm that the 2031 edition will be co-hosted by the US with Mexico, Costa Rica and Jamaica.
FIFA has generally chosen public broadcasters for World Cup rights to increase audiences, and the Netflix deal for Spain includes a free-to-air guarantee.
“As part of the agreement, one game per day will be available for free in Spain,” Netflix said in a statement. “A package of matches, including all matches in Spain, both semi-finals and the final, will be available for broadcast on a national free-to-air broadcaster.”
Spain and Morocco are competing to host the final in a decision linked to politics at national government and FIFA levels. FIFA president Gianni Infantino has close ties to Moroccan football.
The final would be played either at Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabeu stadium or at the 115,000-seater King Hassan II Stadium being built near Casablanca.
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