Wire reporting: (Reuters, via CNA)

FIFA on Thursday, Oct. 22, opened bidding for the U.S. and Puerto Rico media rights to the 2030 men's World Cup, with an option for bidders to also secure the 2034 tournament^1,2. Bids are due Nov. 19^1,2,3.

The tender is the first time FIFA has put U.S. men's World Cup rights up for sale since 2011, according to CNBC¹. It follows the 2026 tournament in the U.S., Canada and Mexico, which FIFA says averaged 13.5 million U.S. viewers per match, up 166% from 2022^1,2,3.

FIFA would prefer to sell English- and Spanish-language rights together to one partner, CNBC reported¹. Variety reported that preference is not mandatory, and that FIFA will weigh linear, streaming and combined packages as well as joint bids². Fox held the English-language rights for 2026 and Telemundo the Spanish-language rights^1,3.

Romy Gai, FIFA's chief business officer, told CNBC: "We want to be flexible"¹. FIFA said in a statement it is seeking coverage that will "reach large audiences through innovative ways to watch," Variety reported².

The outlets give different figures for past fees. CNBC reported that Fox paid $425 million for the 2026 rights¹, while Variety reported Fox is estimated to have paid $485 million and NBCU about $600 million for Telemundo's rights². A FIFA spokesman declined to comment on past fees, according to Variety².

CNBC reported in July that YouTube, Netflix, Amazon and Disney were interested, and that some executives then predicted the rights could sell for $1.5 billion to $2 billion¹. Gai said it is too early to judge a realistic price¹.

The 2030 tournament will be held in Spain, Portugal and Morocco, and the 2034 edition in Saudi Arabia, time zones that may make U.S. primetime slots harder to fill^1,2. Gai told CNBC he expects that to affect bidding, but less than many assume¹.

After bids close, FIFA representatives plan to meet media companies in the U.S. around Thanksgiving and may ask for final bids, with a partner chosen before the end of the year, Gai told CNBC¹.