FIFA is expected to announce record revenues of about $15 billion (£11.2 billion) from this summer’s World Cup, far exceeding the governing body’s initial financial projections for the tournament.
The expected surge in earnings was communicated to FIFA’s member associations by president Gianni Infantino, with the organisation originally forecasting around $11 billion in revenue. The increase has reportedly been driven largely by strong demand for hospitality packages and ticket sales, particularly through the secondary ticket market.
Under FIFA’s secondary market arrangements, the football body receives a 15% fee from both the buyer and seller, allowing it to benefit significantly from the resale of premium tickets.
The expanded financial returns are expected to provide a major boost to national football associations, which are likely to receive increased funding from FIFA’s larger World Cup revenue pool. Details of the distribution are yet to be finalised.
The financial success also comes at a crucial time for Infantino, whose leadership has faced criticism following controversies surrounding the tournament. FIFA was accused by some European football associations of yielding to political pressure after the suspension of a red card issued to United States striker Folarin Balogun during a knockout-stage match. FIFA has maintained that the decision was made independently by its disciplinary committee.
Despite the criticism, Infantino has reportedly secured more than 200 pledges of support from FIFA member associations ahead of his expected re-election bid in March. The prospect of increased financial benefits from record World Cup earnings could further strengthen his position among football federations.
The commercial success of the tournament could also increase the likelihood of the United States hosting another World Cup in the future. The US, which co-hosted the 2026 tournament with Canada and Mexico, has expressed interest in staging future FIFA events, including potentially the 2038 World Cup.
At a recent reception, US President Donald Trump encouraged FIFA to consider returning the tournament to the United States, saying, “You should choose the United States of America again. This time, we will leave Canada and Mexico out.”
Meanwhile, premium hospitality packages for the World Cup final remained available on FIFA’s ticketing platform shortly before the match, with some luxury packages, including access to the “trophy lounge”, priced at around $34,500 per person.
Source: The Guardian
