2026 World Cup: highest revenues in tournament history
2026 World Cup revenues: FIFA and US tax authorities top beneficiaries
The United States, along with Mexico and Canada, will host the 2026 World Cup. The significance of this edition is not limited to the increase in the number of participating teams, but extends to the massive financial figures involved.
A report by “The Guardian” attempts to open the curtains on the economy of the biggest sporting event in World Cup history.
Record revenues exceed $13 billion
According to the latest estimates from FIFA, the total revenues for the four-year financial cycle culminating in the 2026 World Cup will reach approximately $13 billion. Notably, about $9 billion of this amount will be generated during the tournament year alone.
Overwhelming lead over Paris Olympics
For comparison, the Paris 2024 Olympics, one of the world’s largest sporting events, generated revenues estimated at only about $5.24 billion. This gap reflects the vast marketing and economic power that the World Cup now enjoys compared to other tournaments and sporting events.
A 73% jump over the previous edition
Never before has the World Cup seen this much money. Until 2010, the Olympic Games outperformed the World Cup in terms of financial returns.
But things gradually changed. The real turning point came when FIFA decided to award the hosting of the 2026 edition to the United States, the world’s largest advertising and media market.
The result was a huge leap in revenues. After FIFA’s revenues from the 2018-2022 tournaments reached about $7.5 billion, they are expected to rise to about $13 billion by the summer of 2026, an increase of 73%.
Broadcasting rights and expansion support
Television broadcasting rights remain FIFA’s main source of revenue, with significant increases driven by competition among networks and digital platforms for exclusive content.
The decision to expand the tournament from 32 to 48 teams also played a pivotal role, as the number of matches increased from 64 to 104, meaning more broadcast hours and new markets consuming content, especially in North America and Europe.
FIFA has also adopted a flexible marketing approach by selling independent broadcasting rights for the Women’s World Cup and exploiting modern platforms. It has started selling short-form clip packages through apps like YouTube and TikTok, aiming to attract a younger audience that increasingly prefers fast consumption and short-form content.
Record ticket and hospitality package prices
Ticket and hospitality package sales have become FIFA’s second-largest source of income, with a total estimated at about $3 billion, compared to only about $950 million at the 2022 World Cup.
This increase is due both to the greater number of matches and to a shift in pricing philosophy toward the “comprehensive experience,” which includes accompanying services and luxury hospitality.
These prices have sparked widespread controversy. The cost of following one team’s matches all the way to the final could reach around $6,900. Meanwhile, the most expensive ticket for the final, held at MetLife Stadium, reached about $10,990.
Even four tickets for the final were offered for nearly $2.3 million. Despite the criticism, demand remains overwhelming. FIFA has received more than 500 million requests for only about 7 million tickets, reflecting a huge gap between supply and demand and confirming that the World Cup remains the biggest crowd-puller despite high costs.
Sponsorship and licensing at record numbers
In the field of sponsorship and commercial marketing, FIFA achieved revenues of approximately $2.7 billion from sponsorship, in addition to $670 million from licensing rights.
FIFA has signed agreements with global companies such as Adidas, Aramco, and Coca-Cola, offering more flexible, customized commercial packages for businesses.
Where does the money go?
As a non-profit organization, FIFA insists it will reinvest approximately $11.67 billion in developing football worldwide through infrastructure programs, support for federations, and funding for football projects in developing countries.
However, the distribution of funds raises controversy. Each national federation receives $5 million during the cycle, with an additional possible $3 million for specific projects — amounts some consider modest compared to the huge revenues.
A large portion of the funds also goes to tournament hosting costs, which reached about $7.6 billion during the current cycle, of which $3.8 billion is allocated to the 2026 World Cup alone.
These costs include organizational infrastructure, logistics, security, and operations, reflecting the complexity of managing an event of this scale across three countries.
Team prizes and US taxes
FIFA has raised the total prize money for teams to $871 million, guaranteeing each participating team a minimum of $12.5 million.
However, several federations have expressed concern that these returns may not cover the actual costs of participation, especially with rising travel, accommodation, and preparation expenses.
The situation is further complicated by the US tax system. However, The Guardian report indicated that FIFA is close to an agreement granting 48 teams federal tax exemption, though they may still be subject to state and local taxes.
This agreement allows national federations to apply for exemption under the non-profit organizations clause (501(c)(3)), provided they do not generate personal profits or engage in political activity.
Who benefits the most?
In the end, FIFA itself, along with US tax authorities, appears to be among the biggest beneficiaries of this event, while some host federations and host cities face financial challenges related to organization costs.
As for FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who is heading toward a new term, his compensation has already risen to about $6 million annually, and is expected to increase further following this unprecedented commercial success. Thus, the 2026 World Cup reveals a paradox: a tournament achieving historic profits, yet raising deep questions about the fair distribution of its wealth.
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The $13bn World Cup: how the numbers stack up on Fifa’s 2026 balance sheet | The Guardian https://t.co/Y3uasNqa0Y
— Matt Hughes (@MattHughesMedia) April 30, 2026
