Fifa to report record $15bn revenue from 2026 World Cup as US eyes future hosting bid

Fifa is set to announce record revenues of about $15bn (£11.2bn) from the 2026 World Cup, making it by far the most profitable edition in the tournament’s history and almost doubling the income generated by Qatar 2022, according to a report by the Guardian.

The figure dramatically exceeds Fifa’s own pre‐tournament target of $11bn and underlines the commercial power of the expanded 48‐team finals, which were staged across the United States, Mexico and Canada.

The Guardian reports that Fifa president Gianni Infantino has already shared the headline numbers with national associations in a formal meeting, signalling a huge windfall for the game’s global governing body ahead of the next Fifa presidential election.

Broadcasting, sponsorship and hospitality drive surge

The newspaper says several key revenue streams combined to deliver the unprecedented total.

Higher‐than‐expected broadcasting rights deals and an increase in sponsorship contracts formed the financial backbone of the tournament. But the biggest boost came from ticketing and hospitality sales – particularly for the latter stages and the final.

For the first time in World Cup history, 48 teams took part, expanding the number of matches and host cities and, in turn, the inventory of tickets and corporate packages available. The expanded format allowed Fifa to sell more broadcast slots, more advertising and more in‐stadium products than in any previous edition.

Hospitality and ticket sales – including resales on the secondary market – were among the largest contributors, the Guardian says. Under the resale model, Fifa is reported to receive 15% of the sale price and 15% of the purchase price each time a ticket changes hands, creating an additional, continuous revenue stream on top of primary sales.

Record prices for Spain–Argentina final

Commercial demand reached its peak around the final between Spain and Argentina, when hospitality prices hit all‐time highs.

According to the report, a seat in the elite “Cup Lounge” for the showpiece match cost about $34,500 per person, an emblem of the tournament’s enormous drawing power among corporate clients and high‐net‐worth fans.

Spain went on to lift the trophy on Sunday, defeating Argentina 1-0 thanks to a goal from Ferran Torres.

Financial muscle to bolster Infantino’s position

The huge profit is expected to strengthen Gianni Infantino’s political position within Fifa.

The Guardian reports that the governing body will now be in a position to increase financial distributions to its member associations worldwide. Such payments – used for development projects, infrastructure and grassroots programmes – are a crucial source of revenue for many federations and can be influential in internal Fifa politics.

Enhanced funding promises come at a sensitive time for Infantino, who is preparing for the next presidential election amid criticism over several tournament‐related decisions.

Among the controversies cited was the overturning of a red card shown to United States forward Folarin Balogun, a decision that provoked significant criticism in parts of Europe. The financial success of the tournament, however, may offset some of that political pressure by securing strong backing from member associations that benefit from increased funding.

Boost for future US World Cup ambitions

The economic performance of 2026 could also reshape the race to host future World Cups.

The Guardian suggests that the commercial success of the expanded tournament will strengthen the case for returning to the United States in particular, with the 2038 edition highlighted as a potential target.

The report says the US is expected to push strongly to host again, amid a desire from American political leaders to repeat the experience. A future World Cup on US soil would build on the extensive infrastructure, commercial relationships and fan base developed for 2026.

A new benchmark for the global game

Fifa’s projected $15bn revenue total dwarfs the $7.6bn generated by Qatar 2022 and sets a new benchmark for the financial scale of the World Cup.

With more teams, more matches and more host cities, the 2026 tournament appears to have opened a new era in which the World Cup operates not only as football’s most prestigious competition, but also as one of the most powerful commercial events in global sport.