The U.S. broadcast rights for both English- and Spanish-language coverage of the 2030 World Cup will go to the highest bidder. NBC, which currently holds the Spanish-language rights through Telemundo and Peacock, may seek to acquire the English-language package as well.
Austin Karp of Sports Business Journal notes that NBC has internally discussed extending its agreement for the Spanish-language broadcast. Telemundo executive Joaquin Duro indicated to SBJ that a deal could result in NBC securing both language versions.
“Definitely something that we are beyond exploring,” Duro stated to SBJ.
For context, FOX paid $485 million for the English-language rights to the 2026 World Cup, a figure considered highly cost-effective. Karp reports that English and Spanish broadcasts averaged 9.7 million viewers per group-stage game, with 5.05 million tuning in for the English feed and 4.6 million for the Spanish feed.
The NFL’s upcoming broadcast agreements in 2030—assuming the league shortens its current contracts—could intensify competition for World Cup rights, requiring significant financial investment but offering substantial advertising and viewership benefits.
