Billions in revenue proves Fifa right on the World Cup – but only on things it cares about
The 2026 edition of the tournament brought in untold amounts of money to Gianni Infantino’s governing body The total hasn’t entirely stopped rising yet, still clicking away towards a final tally. Still, Fifa has already announced that it surpassed its own lofty revenue projections for the 2026 World Cup, bringing in $15bn, significantly more than anticipated. It appears that a third of that total…
The 2026 World Cup generated an astounding $15 billion in revenue for FIFA, exceeding the organization's initial projections. This figure represents a significant increase compared to the $929 million generated during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. According to reports, ticket sales and hospitality contributed $5 billion of the total, indicating a fivefold increase in revenue compared to the previous World Cup.
Despite the expansion of the tournament to 40 games, the average earnings per match rose from $14.5 million to $48 million. FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who has faced criticism for various decisions, managed to maintain his position despite backlash over issues such as mandatory hydration breaks, red card suspensions, and a lengthy, unauthorized halftime show.
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