FIFA raked in billions of dollars from ticket and hospitality sales during the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
According to Martyn Ziegler of The Times, the global football governing body made $5 billion (£3.8 billion) throughout the summer just in this revenue stream.
This number far outpaced FIFA’s estimate for the tournament of $3.3 billion (£2.47 billion) and was a significant factor in the World Cup’s $15 billion (£11.25 billion) overall revenues.
But this success also comes with scrutiny after fan organizations branded FIFA’s actions as ‘scandalous’ and prices ‘extortionate.’
The organization Football Supporters Europe deemed the excessive prices a ‘monumental betrayal’ of the game’s global fanbases that were already shelling out thousands for travel and accommodation.
The $5 billion mark is a number five-times greater than the prior tournament in Qatar, where the sporting governing body took in $929 million (£696.8 million).
FIFA made $5 billion on ticket sales and hospitality purchases at this summer’s World Cup
While 40 extra matches were played, the use of dynamic pricing helped to line FIFA’s coiffeurs
FIFA president Gianni Infantino was accused of setting ‘extortionate’ and ‘scandalous’ prices
Part of the reason for the massive spike in revenue could be explained by the increase in matches, with 40 more games being played in 2026 than in 2022.
But FIFA’s rise in ticket cost – and their use of dynamic pricing – is what truly made up the difference.
Moreover, the organization took a 30 percent cut of any tickets sold on the secondary market – with FIFA using their own resale platform in the process.
FIFA did not confirm the $5 billion figure when asked by the Times. A spokesperson did tell the outlet that World Cup revenues will go to the extra cash provided to the 211 member associations in the sport.
The spokesperson also noted that of the 6.81 million tickets, ‘more than 100,000 tickets across the tournament were made available at $60, including over 1,000 for the final.’
The statement continued: ‘The revenues generated by the tournament will provide unprecedented resources for FIFA’s member associations to invest in the game.
‘As announced this month following the Fifa Council meeting in Zurich, the Fifa administration presented the Fifa Council with a proposed initiative called the Fifa Surplus Solidarity Programme, which would use a portion of Fifa’s reserves to more than double the level of planned funding for the 2027-2030 period to $6.35bn.
‘Fifa will publish the revenues generated from the Fifa World Cup 2026 in its next annual report. These figures are subject to the requisite audit processes and as such, they are not yet available for external disclosure.’
