Streaming platforms vie for FIFA World Cup rights

In early August 2026, Amazon Prime Video announced a docuseries following Spain’s campaign at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, marking its entry into high‑profile sports content. At the same time, Netflix disclosed plans to invest up to $3 billion to secure broadcasting rights for the 2030 World Cup, co‑hosted by Spain, Portugal and Morocco, underscoring its broader push into live sports.

During the tournament, Netflix reported a dramatic surge in football‑related viewership, with weekly streams of its football titles rising more than 250 % compared with the pre‑tournament average. The spike spanned documentaries such as *Brazil ’70: The Third Star*, *México 86*, *James* and *Norway: The Dark Horse*, as well as the talk show *The Rest Is Football* and the official FIFA video game, which became the most‑played title on the platform. In Brazil, the *Ronaldinho: The One and Only* documentary saw a 34 % lift after the player’s halftime appearance, and *Norway: The Dark Horse* topped Norway’s charts throughout the event.

Looking ahead, Netflix announced it will stream the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 in the United States and Canada, investing roughly $200 million for the rights to both the 2026 men’s and 2027 women’s editions. The service expects the upcoming tournament to extend the football‑content momentum and has already renewed *The Rest Is Football* for the 2026‑27 Premier League season.

Together, these developments illustrate how major streaming services are rapidly expanding their sports portfolios, securing future broadcasting rights while capitalising on heightened audience interest during major events.