The 2026 FIFA World Cup concluded with the tournament generating more than $15 billion in revenue, marking it as the most financially successful World Cup ever, FIFA announced. This figure surpasses earlier projections of $8.9 billion made a year ago and $11 billion reported in April. The event ran from 2023 to 2026, culminating in a record commercial cycle for the global soccer body, according to fortune.com.
The expanded tournament format, which increased participating teams from 32 to 48 and matches from 64 to 104, played a key role in driving revenue growth. FIFA President Gianni Infantino highlighted the opportunities created by the larger event during a meeting with FIFA member associations. The broader participation allowed nearly a quarter of FIFA-affiliated national teams to compete, attracting over 500 million ticket requests worldwide, reflecting widespread fan engagement.
This financial milestone underscores the commercial power of the World Cup despite concerns over high ticket prices and travel restrictions in the United States. The expanded format, while debated for its impact on competitiveness, helped broaden global interest and participation. The revenue generated sets a new benchmark in sports event commercialization, surpassing previous tournaments and positioning FIFA for further growth ahead of the 2030 World Cup.
FIFA’s President Gianni Infantino expressed optimism about future tournaments, stating the 2026 World Cup opened many doors and possibilities. The next World Cup is scheduled for 2030, with FIFA aiming to build on the commercial success achieved in this cycle, as reported by fortune.com.