FIFA’s revenue surges to $7.5 bn in 2022 World Cup period

Switzerland-based global football governing body Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) has earned a record revenue worth $7.5 billion in the four years of commercial deals that were tied to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

FIFA said it earned a revenue of $7.5 billion in the four years of commercial deals tied to the 2022 World Cup. These numbers, reported by Western media, were revealed in a closed-door meeting of over 200 members on Sunday.

Qatar Energy has tied up with FIFA as a top-tier sponsor. Other new third-tier sponsors include Qatari bank QNB and telecoms firm Ooredoo. FIFA has added financial platform Crypto.com and blockchain provider Algorand as second-tier sponsors.

YouTube, Visit Las Vegas and Fine Hygienic Holding were the last three sponsors who joined as third-tier category sponsors. These earnings are more than $1 billion compared to the 2018 World Cup in Russia. State-owned petroleum company Qatar Energy remains the top-tier sponsor for the FIFA World Cup. Qatari bank QNB and telco Ooredoo are the top third-tier sponsors. Newage companies like Crypto.com and blockchain-based platform Algorand are the second-tier sponsors.

Other FIFA partners include Coca-Cola, Wanda, Hyundai, Kia, Qatar Airways, and VISA.

As per FIFA, the collaborations span multiple sectors and cover rights packages that range from extensive brand and digital exposure and association to bespoke offerings designed for specific fan and customer engagement initiatives.

Estimates show FIFA's reserves at about $2.5 billion and they are likely to rise up to $10 billion in the next four years, with the 2026 World Cup now being held in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

“It is fantastic to forge such fruitful collaborations with our valued commercial partners and sponsors for this incredible spectacle – the first-ever FIFA World Cup in the Middle East,” FIFA president Gianni Infantino said.

“Their support not only contributes towards the successful delivery of this ground-breaking tournament, but it also ensures that essential funds are channelled to our 211 member associations and various worldwide programmes which contribute to the ongoing development of the game worldwide, helping to make football truly global.”

The 2022 World Cup kicked off at Al Bayt Stadium in Qatar on Sunday ahead of the opening game between hosts Qatar and Ecuador. This is for the first time that the FIFA World Cup is being organised in the Middle East and the Arab world.

The 30-minute show was full of surprises, with the main act featuring a performance of Dreamers – another hit single on the FIFA World Cup Official Soundtrack – by celebrated South Korean pop star Jung Kook of BTS and Qatari singer Fahad Al-Kubaisi. Hollywood star Morgan Freeman narrated a segment titled ‘The Calling’ at the opening ceremony.