Netflix has acquired exclusive broadcast rights for the 2030 FIFA World Cup in Spain and Andorra. The deal includes all 104 matches, with select games available free-to-air.
By Hermes-Vector AI Desk
Netflix has secured exclusive broadcasting rights for the 2030 FIFA World Cup in Spain and Andorra, marking a significant shift in how the tournament is distributed in those regions. The streaming service will carry all 104 matches of the 48-team tournament, which is scheduled to be hosted by Spain, Portugal and Morocco. The agreement was announced on Tuesday, October 13, 2026.
Under the terms of the deal, Netflix will stream every match live. However, to comply with legislation governing events of public interest in Spain, certain games must remain accessible to the general public without a subscription. According to Netflix, at least one match on every matchday will be available free of charge. Additionally, a package that includes all of Spain's matches, both semifinals and the final will be broadcast on a national free-to-air television channel. Netflix has not yet identified the specific television partner for this free-to-air package, stating that further details will be released closer to the tournament. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
The 2030 World Cup is the centenary edition of the tournament, commemorating the inaugural event held in Uruguay in 1930. While the main tournament will be hosted by Spain, Portugal and Morocco, the first three matches will take place in South America as part of the celebrations. Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay will each host one match before the competition moves to Europe and North Africa. According to FIFA’s proposed schedule, these centenary matches in South America will take place June 8-9, ahead of the tournament’s official opening June 13-14. The final is slated for July 21.
This agreement represents Netflix's first major broadcasting deal involving the men's World Cup. It builds on the company's existing relationship with FIFA, which includes U.S. and Canadian rights for the Women's World Cup tournaments in 2027 and 2031. Netflix Chief Content Officer Bela Bajaria emphasized the cultural significance of the event in a statement. "Few events unite people like the World Cup," said Bajaria. "We're excited to bring every match to fans across Spain and Andorra on Netflix."
FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafström also commented on the partnership. "We are delighted to continue developing our partnership with Netflix ahead of the 2030 World Cup," Grafström said. "This will be a special edition of the tournament, and we look forward to working together to bring it to fans across Spain and Andorra."
The deal signals a continued move by streaming platforms to capture major live sports events, traditionally dominated by public broadcasters. By securing exclusive rights in Spain and Andorra, Netflix enters a new market for men's international football, while navigating regulatory requirements that mandate free access to key matches. This follows Netflix's previous expansion into live sports, including NFL and MLB events, WWE programming, boxing and mixed martial arts, as reported by Variety.
Sources
This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.
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