How FIFA restructured the World Cup into its biggest payday ever, as host cities face a budget shortfall
FIFA is set to generate a record $8.9 billion from the 2026 World Cup, a significant increase attributed to restructured operational and revenue models. Unlike previous tournaments where local organizing committees managed costs and shared profits, FIFA is now directly controlling all revenue streams, including media rights, sponsorship, and ticketing. This new franchise-like model allows FIFA to maximize earnings, as evidenced by the introduction of dynamic ticket pricing, which has made this the most expensive World Cup historically. Conversely, the 11 U.S. host cities are projected to collectively face a budget shortfall exceeding $250 million, as they are responsible for all operational costs without access to the tournament's primary revenue sources. AI
