Half a month out, and England was a World Cup winner after all
The 2026 World Cup's success in the North American market may provide a template for the Premier League's future commercial management.
Sixty years after last making the final, England were crowned World Cup champions in 2026, a victory overshadowed by the fact their journey ended in the semifinals just a month earlier. Despite the disappointment, the financial benefits of the tournament may help boost the Premier League. FIFA and its U.S. host contributed significantly to the game's coffers, potentially spurring investment in English clubs.
The Indian Mittal family consortium is reportedly negotiating to acquire a minority stake in Liverpool FC for up to $6 billion, while Amazon founder Jeff Bezos is also rumored to have shown interest. Transfer fees have also reached new heights, with Morgan Rogers' £117 million move from Aston Villa to Chelsea surpassing the £116 million Manchester City paid for Nottingham Forest's Elliot Anderson.
The Thai owners of Leicester City, who won the Premier League a decade ago but now play in the third tier, are considering selling the club amid the positive vibes from the World Cup's success. The 2026 tournament showcased Premier League talent like never before, with a record 182 players representing the league, including stars Rodri, Haaland, and others.
Notably, 11 Premier League players appeared in the final between Spain and Argentina, a significant increase from the seven in the 2022 Qatar World Cup.
Written by urgent.news from Japan Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
