Soccer has switched channels. Netflix announced on Tuesday that it had acquired the exclusive rights for Spain and Andorra to the 2030 FIFA World Cup, marking the first major international men’s tournament the platform will broadcast in Spain.
The deal, also confirmed by Reuters, includes live coverage of all 104 matches in the tournament. And it’s not just about airing the games: Netflix plans to offer pre-game, halftime, and post-game shows “with a genuinely Spanish approach,” as well as a daily recap on match days and special content to build excitement leading up to the tournament.
It will be a historic World Cup. The 2030 edition will commemorate the competition’s centennial, with Spain—the reigning world champion—as one of the three host countries, alongside Morocco and Portugal. Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay will also host matches celebrating the centennial.
The good news for your wallet: not everything will be behind a paywall. As part of the agreement, one match from each matchday will be available for free on free-to-air television in Spain. In addition, Netflix will offer a national free-to-air network a package that will include all matches in Spain, the two semifinals, and the final, “which will ensure wide availability for audiences across the country.” The name of the network has not yet been announced; details of the partnership will be provided at a later date.
“Few events bring people together as much as a World Cup,” said Bela Bajaria, Netflix’s Chief Content Officer, as reported by Panorama Audiovisual. For his part, FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafström emphasized that they share the platform’s goal of bringing soccer to as many fans as possible.
The move expands an already-in-the-works partnership: Netflix holds the broadcast rights in the United States and Canada for the 2027 and 2031 Women’s World Cups. It also builds on Netflix’s commitment to live sports, which already includes the NFL, MLB, WWE, boxing, and mixed martial arts, as reported by The People.
One major question remains—and it’s the one that matters most to fans: Will the 104 matches be included in the standard subscription, or will viewers have to pay extra? As telecommunications expert Ana de la Torre explained to Roams, “It’s not the same for Netflix to include the matches in its standard subscriptions as it is to require an additional payment. That decision will be key to determining whether the change truly benefits the viewer.”
What is clear is that the most important match has already been played off the field—and Netflix won it. The centennial World Cup, hosted by the defending world champion, will be streamed online.
