Netflix to stream Women’s World Cup in 2027 and 2031 as fans divided over ‘historic’ deal

The football world has been left divided after FIFA made a groundbreaking announcement about the Women’s World Cup.

Netflix has taken its latest step into broadcasting live sports by agreeing a deal with FIFA for exclusive rights to show the 2027 and 2031 Women’s World Cups in the United States, it was announced on Saturday (AEDT).

World football’s governing body did not say how much the deal was worth for the tournaments, although FIFA president Gianni Infantino said in a statement that the “agreement sends a strong message about the real value of the Women’s World Cup and the global women’s game”.

The streaming service will also produce a documentary series on women’s football in the build-up to both tournaments.

The 2027 edition will take place in Brazil from June 24 to July 25, while the host of the 2031 competition will be decided at a later date.

FIFA said the agreement for the US included Puerto Rico and covered all languages.

“This is a landmark moment for sports media rights,” added Infantino.

The Women’s World Cup was hugely popular in Australia in 2023. Pic: Adam Head

Netflix has already made inroads into sports by producing hit documentary series on the likes of Formula One, cycling, tennis, rugby and athletics.

However, it is a relative newcomer to streaming live sporting events, although it did show boxing last month, with the fight between Mike Tyson and Jake Paul.

Netflix will also broadcast two NFL games for the first time this year on Christmas Day.

Major tournaments such as the World Cup are traditionally broadcast on free-to-air public networks in order to maximise audience reach.

The move to put the tournament behind a paywall left many football fans angry and questioning the logic given it would likely mean less eyeballs overall.

Seeing the news about Netflix winning the rights to broadcast the Women's World Cup, I can't help but think that kids from lower income families will be less able to watch. Grant and I wouldn't have been able to watch growing up. Just makes me a little sad.

— Eric Wahl (@ziplamak) December 20, 2024

Why would you put the women’s World Cup behind a subscription service? And Netflix of all places?

— Zito (@_Zeets) December 20, 2024

I'm curious how moving to Netflix grows the game when it comes to the Women's World Cup moving behind their paywall. After all the attention the MLS' deal with Apple has gotten about impact on the game, you'd think they'd rethink how to make the WC accessible.

— Jeremy Clements (@j_clem) December 20, 2024

However many other fans backed the move and predicted Netflix would do a great job broadcasting the tournament.

Surprised by people mad about women's World Cup going 'streaming only' on Netflix

Didn't you see how many ppl they got to watch a YouTuber fight a 58-year-old?

Assuming they promote well, this is going to reach more young people than a TV broadcaster would, especially by 2027

— ✏️Jacob Feldman (@JacobFeldman4) December 20, 2024

Netflix saved F1 for the casual America audience.

Netflix got 60 million viewers to watch boxing.

Netflix built a great talent pool for Christmas NFL games.

Netflix getting the women’s World Cup is precisely the out of the box thinking that sport needed.

— Micah Adams (@MAdamsStatGuy) December 20, 2024

FIFA president Gianni Infantino previously criticised broadcasters - especially in Europe - for undervaluing the right to broadcast the 2023 Women’s World Cup.

FIFA will likely use the Netflix deal to drive talks with European broadcasters.

ITV and the BBC have shared the rights to the tournament in recent years.

Meanwhile, FOX broadcast the World Cup across the US last year.

The tournament is set to involve 32 teams.

- with AFP and The Sun