Netflix announced that it has acquired the exclusive audiovisual rights to the 2030 FIFA World Cup in Spain and Andorra. The platform will broadcast all 104 matches of the 2030 World Cup live. Credit: Stockcatalog, CC-BY-2.0 / Flickr
Netflix has acquired the exclusive audiovisual rights to the 2030 FIFA World Cup in Spain and Andorra, expanding the platform’s presence in live sports broadcasting and bringing it into one of the biggest events in international soccer. The agreement covers live streaming of all 104 matches, along with additional programming designed to keep fans engaged before, during and after each game.
The deal marks a significant shift in the sports broadcasting market, which has traditionally been dominated by television networks. Although Netflix had already added various live sporting events to its offering, streaming an entire men’s World Cup represents another step in its strategy to compete for major live events.
The company confirmed the agreement on Oct. 13, 2026. However, the deal has an important geographical limitation: the announced rights apply exclusively to Spain and Andorra. This means Netflix will not have exclusive broadcasting rights to the tournament worldwide, as audiovisual rights are negotiated by territory and other broadcasters may hold agreements for different countries.
Netflix to cover all 104 matches of the 2030 World Cup in Spain and Andorra
The agreement will allow Netflix subscribers in Spain and Andorra to watch all 104 matches of the 2030 World Cup live. The offering will extend beyond match broadcasts to include pregame shows, halftime analysis and post-match programs featuring commentary on the competition.
The platform is also preparing daily highlight shows on match days, as well as content designed to build anticipation ahead of the tournament. With this approach, Netflix aims to provide an experience that keeps viewers engaged throughout the competition rather than limiting its offering to the 90 minutes of each match.
The acquisition also advances Netflix’s broader sports strategy, as the company has gradually expanded its involvement in live events. It had already secured the rights to the 2027 and 2031 FIFA Women’s World Cups in the United States and Canada. The agreement for the 2030 men’s tournament extends that strategy to a major international competition with a potentially enormous audience.
Free World Cup matches will remain available in Spain
Although Netflix will hold the exclusive rights to broadcast the full tournament in the territories covered by the agreement, viewers in Spain will also have access to free-to-air coverage. The company announced that one match per matchday will be available to watch at no cost.
In addition, a national free-to-air television broadcaster will be able to show a selection of games, including every match played by Spain’s national team, both semifinals and the final.
This arrangement is intended to preserve free access to some of the tournament’s most anticipated matches while Netflix provides comprehensive coverage of the competition. It also illustrates how streaming services and traditional media outlets can coexist in the distribution of major sporting events.
For Spanish fans, the main distinction will be the choice between watching selected matches on free-to-air television or accessing all 104 games through Netflix. In other countries, viewing options will depend on the broadcasting rights agreements established for each market.
A historic World Cup for Spain, Portugal and Morocco
The 2030 FIFA World Cup will carry special significance as it marks the centenary of the tournament’s first edition, held in Uruguay in 1930. Spain, Portugal and Morocco will serve as the three main host countries, while commemorative matches will also take place in Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay.
The distribution of matches across six countries is intended to recognize the tournament’s origins while connecting its history to an edition organized primarily across Europe and Africa. Uruguay hosted the inaugural World Cup, with its national team winning the title. Argentina played in that final, while Paraguay is home to the headquarters of the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL).
For Spain, the Netflix agreement carries additional significance because the country will be one of the tournament’s main hosts. The platform will be able to provide coverage tailored to local audiences, with programs and analysis following Spain’s national team and the broader competition.
FIFA and Netflix are expected to provide further details about the operational aspects of their partnership and the free-to-air broadcasts at a later date. In the meantime, the announcement highlights the increasingly prominent role of streaming services in distributing major sporting events, although the scope of each agreement will continue to depend on the territories and rights involved.