FIFA and Netflix announced major news on Friday as the popular streaming service was awarded exclusive rights to broadcast the 2027 and 2031 Women’s World Cups in the United States. Fans have mixed feelings.
The 2027 Women’s World Cup will be played in Brazil, the first time in history it’s being played in South America, and the 2031 host is yet to be decided. The U.S. is expected to make a bid to host after pulling out of the 2027 bidding.
Broadcasting a World Cup is no easy feat with games being played across 12 cities, featuring 32 teams and 64 total matches.
Netflix made its first attempt at showing a live sports event on Nov. 15 with the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson fight. The viewership globally was 108 million and it turned out to be a disaster.
Viewers experienced an endless amount of buffering, streams crashing and for some reason the people tuning in had to see Tyson’s bare ass on display in the locker room. It was obvious that Netflix bit off more than it could chew.
Netflix will have a second bite at the cherry on Christmas when it plans to broadcast two NFL games. If those run smoothly then perhaps they’ll win some trust among USWNT fans. As things stand fans are skeptical.
USWNT fans’ reactions to Neflix Women’s World Cup news
Would have loved to see this available to everyone and not locked behind a paywall pic.twitter.com/dQkbLP194x
— Shamrock Cards (@ShamrockCards) December 20, 2024
Have you upgraded your one single server that was apparently serving the Tyson/Paul fight recently?
— TheModernFederalist (@ModernFed) December 20, 2024
I hope this not happens pic.twitter.com/KzMsDkutM2
— Shah Khan (@shahrukhkhan697) December 20, 2024
I’m already upset that I have to watch the Steelers game on Netflix… after watching Paul Tyson I have little hope for this… hope you guys can get it fixed. The women have a bit more hope for a decent stream since its a few years off I guess
— Nick Filippi (@flipyfirst) 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
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
Geezus. Let's hope @Netflix can do better than the Jake Paul-Tyson fight.
There should be a class action lawsuit over that mess.— JJDOOLS (@jjdools) December 20, 2024
The next two Women’s World Cups being on a purely streaming-only platform is a massive step back for the growth of women’s soccer. This is a huge disappointment. https://t.co/QDnysUETV0
— Kyle Bonn (@the_bonnfire) December 20, 2024
Prove the people wrong Netflix, or suffer the consequences of ruining the growth of women’s soccer in this country.
