FIFA president Gianni Infantino has revealed that soccer’s world governing body will generate revenue of more than $15 billion for the 2023-2026 cycle, thanks to this year’s World Cup, significantly exceeding targets set before the tournament.
Originally, the organization had projected income of $11 billion for the four years, but it is believed that hospitality and ticketing, especially through the heavily priced secondary market, account for a significant amount of the increase.
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FIFA takes 15% from the buyer and another 15% from the seller on the secondary market.
On the eve of the World Cup final, Infantino told member associations: “I think we can top the $15 billion mark. This FIFA World Cup here in particular has opened a lot of doors, a lot of opportunities, a lot of possibilities.
“This will have an impact on what we can do all over the world, but the revenues and the financial economic success come only if the sporting side is right. If we do the right thing from a sporting point of view.
“So, when we see the success of this FIFA World Cup, we need to really be aware of the fact that the World Cup is the pinnacle of football in the world, and that everyone in football, big or small, depends on the success of the World Cup. We need to be very, very careful, and put the World Cup always at the centre of everything we do in football. Everything else has to come after that and with that together.”
A significant chunk of the $15 billion figure will be brought in this year, expected to be around $9 billion.
Much of that will come from media rights, with a record income of around $3.9 billion projected from this year’s tournament.
Financially, FIFA’s members will benefit hugely from the expanded World Cup, which featured 48 teams and 104 matches for the first time.
Infantino highlighted the latest increase in funding, which is expected to reach a record $2.7 billion for the 2027-2030 cycle.
He added: “We want to generate more revenues, and we have to generate more revenues, because in the vast majority of the world, in 80% of the world, if we don’t invest, if we don’t believe…nobody will.
“(If not), the concentration will always go to a few, big (countries), and we will remain as we are.”
Infantino, who has had a controversial reign as FIFA president, recently announced his intention to run for a fourth term.
The Swiss-Italian’s current four-year term runs through 2027, having been re-elected unopposed in March 2023, meaning he would stay in the role until 2031.
The next election will take place on March 18, 2027, in Morocco, with Infantino currently the only candidate in the running.
According to the Guardian, Infantino has the formal endorsement of more than 200 FIFA members for re-election as the body’s president despite widespread unrest and a major backlash from the scandal surrounding USA striker Folarin Balogun’s reprieve from suspension during the World Cup.
The Guardian understands only a handful of FIFA’s 211 member associations are still to send letters of support for Infantino, who is on course to be voted into a fourth term by a landslide. A small number of European associations are among the outliers, with Germany the highest-profile FA yet to provide official backing.
In what could be perceived as an effort to boost his chances of re-election, Infantino recently announced that a formal review will examine expanding the World Cup to a 64-team tournament starting in 2030.
Speaking on this matter with FIFA members, he said: “When we will speak about calendars, about when (and) how to organise events, we need to care about all of you. FIFA is a democracy.
“The members have to decide, and you will decide what you think is right for the future. There are discussions about whether we should increase more (from 48) to 64 (teams), but this will be debated and this will be discussed.”
Meanwhile, Faraday Future (FF), the US-based electric vehicle brand, has announced a new partnership with the Argentine Football Association.
Under the agreement, the company will become an official regional sponsor of the Argentina national team in North America in the field of robotics and related robotics technology.
Through the sponsorship, FF will be able to associate its brand with AFA and its national team across approved advertising campaigns, social media activities, and points of sale in North America.
The arrangement also includes access to selected AFA-controlled marketing and communications assets.
Argentina failed to retain their World Cup trophy in yesterday’s final in New Jersey, losing 1-0 to Spain after extra time.
Read: World Cup 2026: Bigger and better, or 'Mo Money Mo Problems'?
