FIFA signs US broadcast deal with Netflix for 2027 and 2031 Women’s World Cup

ZURICH – FIFA has signed a US broadcast deal with Netflix for the 2027 and 2031 Women’s World Cup.

The deal announced on Friday is the most significant FIFA has signed with a streaming service for a major tournament. The value was not specified.

World championships are usually broadcast on free-to-air public channels in order to reach as large an audience as possible.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino publicly criticized public broadcasters, particularly in Europe, for undervaluing offers to broadcast the 2023 tournament, which was held in Australia and New Zealand. This tournament was broadcast by Fox in the USA

“This agreement sends a strong signal about the true value of the FIFA Women’s World Cup and global women’s football,” Infantino said in a statement on Friday.

FIFA is likely to use the Netflix deal to advance talks with European broadcasters that will involve tougher negotiations.

The 32-team, 64-game tournament in 2027 will be played in Brazil from June 24 to July 25. The 2031 host has not yet been determined, but the United States is expected to apply.

Spain won the 2023 tournament after the United States won the previous two titles.

Last month, Netflix delved into live sports, with more than 60 million households watching a heavily hyped boxing match between retired heavyweight legend Mike Tyson and social media personality Jake Paul.

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