Netflix has secured exclusive broadcasting rights in Spain for the 2030 FIFA World Cup, marking a major expansion of the streaming platform's presence in men's international football. The agreement, announced on Tuesday, will allow Netflix to stream all 104 matches of the tournament, while ensuring that selected games remain available to viewers free of charge through a public broadcaster.
Spain will co-host the centenary edition of the tournament with Portugal and Morocco. The competition will also feature three opening matches in South America to commemorate the first World Cup, held in Uruguay in 1930.
Under the agreement, Netflix will stream every match live, while a national free-to-air broadcaster in Spain will be able to show one match per matchday. The free-to-air package will also include every match played by Spain, both semi-finals and the final.
The financial terms of the agreement have not been disclosed.
Free-to-air access guaranteed for key matches
The agreement combines Netflix's streaming coverage with free television access to some of the tournament's most significant fixtures. The arrangement is particularly notable because FIFA has traditionally favoured public broadcasters for World Cup rights in an effort to reach the widest possible audience.
Netflix confirmed the free-to-air provision in a statement, saying: “As part of the agreement, one match per matchday will be available for free in Spain.”
The company added that a package featuring every Spain match, both semi-finals and the final would be made available to a national free-to-air broadcaster.
The arrangement means Spanish viewers will not need a Netflix subscription to watch these designated fixtures. However, the platform will hold the exclusive streaming rights to all 104 matches in the country.
For comparison, Spanish rights to the 2026 World Cup, which will be played across North America, were awarded to public broadcaster RTVE. The deal was reportedly worth €55 million, or approximately $61.6 million.
Centenary World Cup to span three continents
The 2030 tournament will mark 100 years since the inaugural men's World Cup, hosted by Uruguay in 1930. FIFA plans to commemorate the milestone by staging the opening three matches in South America, with Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay each hosting one game.
After those fixtures, the tournament will move to its principal host countries, Spain, Portugal and Morocco, where the remainder of the competition will take place across southern Europe and north Africa.
The expanded 48-team format will feature 104 matches, making the 2030 edition one of the largest World Cups in the competition's history.
The centenary arrangements are intended to recognise the tournament's origins while allowing Spain, Portugal and Morocco to host the bulk of the competition.
Netflix expands FIFA partnership
The Spanish rights agreement represents Netflix's first major broadcasting deal for a men's FIFA World Cup. It follows an agreement announced in 2024 under which the streaming service secured United States rights to the women's World Cup in 2027 and 2031.
FIFA is expected to confirm the hosting arrangements for the 2031 women's tournament next month, with the United States set to co-host alongside Mexico, Costa Rica and Jamaica.
The latest deal highlights Netflix's growing ambitions in live sports broadcasting. Securing the rights to every match of a major international football tournament would give the platform a prominent role in one of the world's most widely watched sporting events.
The free-to-air commitment also addresses a key consideration for FIFA, which has traditionally sought broad public access to the World Cup through national broadcasters.
Spain and Morocco compete to host the final
The venue for the 2030 World Cup final remains undecided, with Spain and Morocco competing to stage the showpiece match. The contest has become intertwined with political considerations at both national government and FIFA levels.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino, who has faced controversy during his tenure, has close ties to Moroccan football, adding another dimension to the debate over the final's location.
Two leading contenders have emerged. Spain is seeking to host the match at Real Madrid's Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, while Morocco is building the 115,000-seat King Hassan II Stadium near Casablanca, which could become the venue for the final.
The decision will determine where the centenary tournament concludes after its opening matches in South America and the main competition across Spain, Portugal and Morocco.
For Netflix, the Spanish rights agreement secures a central role in broadcasting the 2030 World Cup. For viewers, the deal will combine comprehensive live streaming with free access to selected matches, including Spain's fixtures and the tournament's decisive stages.