FIFA Opens U.S. Media Rights Bidding for 2030 and 2034 World Cups

FIFA opened the bidding process for U.S. media rights to the 2030 FIFA World Cup on October 22, 2026. Broadcasters and digital platforms can submit proposals covering the 2030 tournament, with an option to include the 2034 edition, by November 19, 2026.

Host selection for 2030 and 2034

The FIFA World Cup 2030 will be hosted by Morocco, Portugal and Spain. Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay will each stage a centenary celebration match. The Extraordinary FIFA Congress appointed these hosts on December 11, 2024. Saudi Arabia was appointed host of the 2034 FIFA World Cup at the same Congress. The FIFA Council had approved the start of the 2034 host-bidding process on October 4, 2023, with eligibility limited to member associations of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC). Saudi Arabia announced its bid on October 4 and submitted a letter of intent on October 9, 2023. Australia withdrew, leaving Saudi Arabia as the sole bidder.

FIFA’s bidding process

FIFA shared procedures for the 2030 and 2034 host bids with its member associations through circular no. 1861 on October 5, 2023. Bid documents for both tournaments were submitted to FIFA on July 29, 2024, and published on FIFA.com by the July 31 deadline. FIFA published its evaluation of Saudi Arabia’s 2034 bid on November 29, 2024. The bid received an average score of 4.2 out of 5, the highest score recorded in FIFA’s bid-evaluation history.

U.S. media rights bidding

Media rights give broadcasters or digital platforms permission to transmit tournament coverage within specified markets and platforms. FIFA’s U.S. bidding process concerns commercial rights for the 2030 event and may also cover the 2034 tournament. The November 19, 2026 deadline applies to official proposals from broadcasters and digital platforms.

Important Facts for Exams

• The FIFA World Cup is the international association football tournament contested by men’s national teams.
• The Asian Football Confederation and the Oceania Football Confederation are continental football governing bodies.
• Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay will host one centenary celebration match each in 2030.
• Saudi Arabia became the sole bidder for the 2034 tournament after Australia withdrew.

Host bids and media rights

Host selection determines the country or countries that stage a tournament, while media rights concern the authorised distribution of its coverage. FIFA member associations participate in host-bidding procedures, whereas broadcasters and digital platforms submit proposals for media rights.