Netflix to show every 2030 World Cup match live in Spain and Andorra

Netflix will broadcast all 104 matches at the 2030 FIFA World Cup live in Spain and Andorra after securing the rights to the tournament, the streaming platform announced on Tuesday.

The agreement means Netflix will show matches involving Spain, who will co-host the competition with Portugal and Morocco. Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay will also stage games as part of celebrations for the World Cup’s centenary.

“(We) will offer all 104 matches of the world’s biggest football competition live,” Netflix said in a statement.

One match on each matchday will also be available to watch for free in Spain under the deal. A national free-to-air television channel will additionally broadcast every Spain match and the final, alongside other matches, Netflix confirmed.

The agreement marks the first time the subscription-based service will have rights to show the men’s World Cup. It represents another step in Netflix’s efforts to compete with traditional broadcasters in the live sports market.

Netflix already holds the rights in the United States and Canada to broadcast the 2027 and 2031 Women’s World Cups.

Russian gymnasts denied visas for World Championships

The Netherlands has refused visas to three Russian gymnasts, including reigning world champion Angelina Melnikova, preventing them from competing at next week’s World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Rotterdam, Moscow said on Tuesday.

The Russian Gymnastics Federation described the decision as “discrimination” and a “violation” of equal-competition principles. It accused Dutch authorities of deliberately attempting to exclude the “strongest gymnasts” from the event.

“The Embassy of the Netherlands in Moscow has notified the visa centre of its refusal to issue visas to three leaders of the Russian women’s national team Angelina Melnikova, Viktoria Listunova, and Anna Kalmykova,” the federation said.

The championships are scheduled to take place in Rotterdam from October 17-25.

“As a result, the gymnasts have been deprived of the opportunity to compete at the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships,” the federation added.

Russia said it would challenge the decision with the sport’s world governing body and the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

Melnikova, who won the 2025 World Championships in Jakarta, was also initially refused a visa for August’s European Championships in Croatia. That decision was overturned after an appeal, allowing her to compete and win the all-around gold medal.

The latest refusal comes as Russia continues efforts to return to international sport following years of restrictions imposed after its invasion of Ukraine in 2022, as well as the exposure of state-sponsored doping at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi.

In July, the IOC eased restrictions on Russian athletes, creating a route for them to take part in qualifying events for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.