Megan Rapinoe is in early talks with Netflix about a studio analyst role for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil, according to a report by Adam Crafton in The Athletic on 17 September. Brazil great Marta has also held early discussions with the streaming service. As yet, however, neither player has signed a deal, and the Megan Rapinoe Netflix talks are described as exploratory.
What We Know About the Megan Rapinoe Netflix Talks
Netflix is also speaking with other candidates as it builds its broadcast team, The Athletic reported. Any role for Marta would depend on her not playing at the tournament, and she still plays club football for the Orlando Pride.
Rapinoe won the World Cup twice with the United States, in 2015 and 2019, before retiring in 2023. She has no formal broadcasting experience, Awful Announcing noted. Still, she has stayed in the media spotlight and launched a new podcast, Why Are You Like This?, last month.
Netflix did not comment directly on the talks. However, The Athletic reported that the company plans to look after its commentators and analysts professionally in Brazil, including providing security escorts where needed.
Netflix Names Andrés Cantor Ahead of Any Megan Rapinoe Deal
The report came a day before Netflix announced its first confirmed voice for the tournament. On 18 September, the streamer named Andrés Cantor as its first play-by-play commentator, according to Netflix Tudum.
Cantor, famous for his long “Gooooal!” call, has covered every men’s World Cup since 1986. The 2027 edition will be his fifth Women’s World Cup. “The world is catching up to the big powers,” Cantor told Netflix.
Netflix said it will offer English and Spanish broadcasts in the United States, plus English and French broadcasts in Canada. In addition, broadcaster Elle Duncan is already part of the coverage, Awful Announcing reported.
Netflix’s Women’s World Cup Rights
Netflix holds exclusive rights to the 2027 and 2031 Women’s World Cups in the United States and Canada, NBC News reported when the deal was first announced. As a result, it will be the first time the tournament streams exclusively in those markets.
When Is the 2027 Women’s World Cup?
The tournament runs from Thursday 24 June to Sunday 25 July 2027, FIFA confirmed. It will feature 32 teams, and it will be the first Women’s World Cup held in Brazil. Before that, the final draw takes place on 11 December 2026.
Want to know who could star in Brazil? See our list of the best women footballers in the world and our guide to the top women’s football teams. You can also read our explainer on how much women footballers earn.
