Dhaka, May 01 (V7N) — The 2026 FIFA World Cup is already making global headlines for its unprecedented financial scale, even before a single match is played. According to a report by The Guardian, FIFA President Gianni Infantino has described the tournament as “the greatest event ever seen by mankind,” with projections showing it will become the most profitable sporting event in history.

The latest financial report from FIFA reveals that revenue for the four-year cycle centered on the 2026 World Cup is expected to reach a record $13 billion, with around $9 billion generated in the tournament year alone.

Major Revenue Sources

1. Broadcast Rights
The tournament will expand from 32 to 48 teams, increasing matches from 64 to 104 games, significantly boosting global television revenue.

2. Ticket Pricing Surge
Ticket prices have risen sharply, particularly in North America. The most expensive final ticket in New Jersey is priced at $10,990, nearly seven times higher than the Qatar 2022 final.

3. Sponsorship Deals
FIFA earns an estimated $2.7 billion from global sponsors such as Coca-Cola, Aramco, and Adidas.

Prize Money Increase

FIFA has also increased total prize money to $871 million, a 50% rise compared to the Qatar World Cup. Each of the 48 participating teams is guaranteed at least $12.5 million.

Additional funds have been allocated for football development across all 211 FIFA member associations.

Growing Controversy

Despite record revenues, the tournament has sparked criticism from host cities in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Under FIFA agreements, all profits from tickets, sponsorships, and parking go directly to FIFA, while host cities bear major costs such as security and transportation.

Cities like New York have reportedly cancelled planned fan festivals due to financial pressure.

There are also concerns over tax exemptions for FIFA and potential tax burdens on players and national associations.

Conclusion

The 2026 World Cup is shaping up to be not only the largest football tournament in history but also a massive commercial enterprise, with FIFA at the center of unprecedented global revenue and growing debate over its financial structure.

END/SMA/AJ