The $13bn World Cup: how the numbers stack up on Fifa’s 2026 balance sheet
Fifa's 2026 World Cup, hosted across the United States, Mexico, and Canada, is projected to generate $13 billion in revenue, making it the most financially lucrative sports tournament in history. While Fifa anticipates record earnings from broadcasting, sponsorships, and ticket sales, some of the 48 participating nations report financial difficulties in covering their participation costs. The tournament's economic impact highlights growing disparities between the governing body's revenue and the financial burdens faced by national teams.
- ▪The 2026 World Cup is expected to generate $13 billion in revenue, the highest in sports history.
- ▪The tournament will be hosted jointly by the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
- ▪Fifa plans to distribute $700 million in prize money and support to participating teams.
- ▪Some national teams competing in the 48-team format have expressed concerns about funding their participation.
- ▪Revenue will primarily come from broadcasting rights, sponsorships, and ticket sales.
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World Cup sport money Composite: Guardian Design / Belga / AFP / Getty ImagesView image in fullscreenWorld Cup sport money Composite: Guardian Design / Belga / AFP / Getty ImagesWorld Cup 2026The $13bn World Cup: how the numbers stack up on Fifa’s 2026 balance sheetThe earnings from the tournament in the US, Mexico and Canada will make it the most lucrative competition in the history of sport, even if some of the 48 competing countries say they are struggling to make ends meetMatt Hughes Global sports business correspondentThu 30 Apr 2026 03.00 EDTLast modified on Thu 30 Apr 2026 03.03 EDTShare@font-face{font-family:Guardian Headline Full;src:url(https://assets.guim.co.uk/static/frontend/fonts/guardian-headline/noalts-not-hinted/GHGuardianHeadline-Light.woff2)…
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