Fifa is set to announce record revenues of $15bn (£11.2bn) from this summer's World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico, significantly exceeding the initial $11bn target. The figures were communicated to member associations by Gianni Infantino during the final weekend, in an exclusive report by The Guardian.
The boost is primarily driven by hospitality and the secondary ticket market, where Fifa takes a 15% commission from both buyer and seller. The record figure marks a substantial jump from the $7.5bn generated by the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
The financial windfall strengthens Infantino's position after a controversy-filled month. Widespread fury followed Fifa's decision to suspend the red card given to US striker Folarin Balogun against Paraguay in the round of 16 — a move perceived as bowing to pressure from Donald Trump. The controversy has particularly rankled European associations. Despite the backlash, Infantino has secured more than 200 pledges of support from member associations for his re-election in March 2027, and the prospect of additional revenue from the record-breaking World Cup is likely to discourage public dissent.
