Netflix is becoming a much bigger player in live sports, and the streamer may have its sights set on one of the biggest events in the world.
Netflix Vice President of Global Live Sports and Entertainment Gabe Spitzer said the company wants to have a “conversation” with FIFA about potentially securing rights to the 2030 men’s World Cup, according to Sports Business Journal. Netflix has not committed to bidding for the tournament, but Spitzer’s comments make clear that the company is interested in exploring the opportunity.
“The men’s World Cup is as big as it gets for a global event and we’re already in business with FIFA on the women’s side, which we’re thrilled about,” Spitzer said.
That conversation could become especially important for cord cutters because the 2030 World Cup is expected to attract interest from several major media companies. Netflix, Amazon and ESPN have all been linked to the rights, while ESPN has already publicly confirmed its interest in returning to the tournament.
“We are waiting on FIFA. They’re having conversations with a number of different partners, and they haven’t started an official process. When the time is right, obviously, we’ll have those conversations,” Spitzer said.
The 2030 World Cup will be hosted by Morocco, Portugal and Spain, with matches also taking place in Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay as part of the tournament’s centennial celebration. In the U.S., Fox currently holds the English-language rights through the 2026 tournament.
Netflix Wants to Think Globally
Spitzer’s comments suggest Netflix isn’t simply looking at the World Cup as another U.S. sports property.
“What I will say is a lot of the press right now is very focused on the U.S. and that makes sense. It’s a big market. We are a global company,” he said.
Meanwhile, that approach already shows up across Netflix’s sports lineup. The company makes its boxing events available internationally, streams NFL games in more than 200 countries and has expanded WWE coverage around the world. Netflix also holds the rights to major international sports properties, including the Women’s World Cup in the U.S. and Canada.
For Netflix, the appeal of the men’s World Cup is obvious. The tournament is a rare event capable of generating enormous audiences and a global conversation, giving the streamer a chance to bring millions of people into the app at the same time. That also fits with the company’s broader philosophy to “eventize” live sports, which focuses on events that can create conversation and give viewers a reason to hit play.
The Women’s World Cup Comes First
Before Netflix can make a run at the men’s tournament, it has to tackle an even larger live sports project of its own.
Netflix will carry every match of the 2027 Women’s World Cup in the U.S. and Canada, followed by the 2031 tournament in the U.S. Spitzer described the 2027 event as “by far the most ambitious thing” Netflix has undertaken on the sports side.
The scale will be dramatically larger than Netflix’s current sports events, as the 2027 tournament will feature 64 matches spread across more than a month. This is dramatically different compared to the company’s previous focus on individual games, fights, and other one-off events.
Netflix is preparing separate English- and Spanish-language coverage in the U.S., along with Canadian coverage, and plans to have more than 100 on-air talent involved. The company will also operate from Rio de Janeiro, where it is building studio facilities overlooking Copacabana Beach.
Looking ahead, the Women’s World Cup will give Netflix valuable experience working with FIFA and managing a month-long tournament. That could help the streamer decide whether the much more expensive men’s rights are worth pursuing. At the same time, the FCC has raised concerns about major sporting events moving behind streaming paywalls, with FCC Chairman Brendan Carr saying the World Cup should remain available for free over the air.
For now, viewers don’t have to worry about Netflix taking away the 2030 World Cup. But Netflix is clearly interested in having that conversation with FIFA, and the company’s growing sports portfolio suggests it has the money, audience and experience to become a serious contender.
