FIFA reserves at USD 4BN after World Cup; more to come in 2026

FIFA had reserves of almost USD 4 billion after a financially successful 2022 World Cup in Qatar and booming hospitality and ticket sales at the 2026 tournament in North America are expected to add billions to the income of soccers international governing bodyFIFA detailed exceptionally robust finances in its 2022 annual report late Tuesday that saw the annual bonus of President Gianni Infantino rise by 620000 Swiss francs USD 673000 His pretax base salary and bonus package totalled 36 million Swiss francs USD 39 million plus more FIFApaid expenses and benefitsAt the World Cup in November FIFA announced record revenue of almost USD 76 billion for the fouryear commercial cycle through 2022 that is mostly earned by the mens World CupFIFA said its reserves stood at USD 397 billion at years end compared with USD 16 billion through 2021FIFAs financial position remains exceptionally robust and sustainable with a substantial cash base and sufficient reserves soccers world body said in the reportThe USD 11 billion income conservatively forecast in December for the next four years is fuelled by using mostly NFL stadiums for an expanded 48team World Cup in 2026 that will be cohosted by the United States Canada and MexicoUsing home stadiums of the Dallas Cowboys Los Angeles Rams and the Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs plus other NFL venues has driven FIFAs expected revenue of USD 31 billion in hospitality and ticket sales across the next four yearsFIFA said it got a combined 929 million in Qatar from ticket sales for the 64 games and a hospitality program that was sold in 2011 for a rights fee and profit share adding up to 243 million to longtime World Cup partner MATCHAlso readSaudi Arabia to host FIFA Club World Cup 2023Hospitality sales will be largely driven by the strategic model in operation which has moved away from the rights fee model under which FIFAs hospitality services were outsourced FIFA said in the annual report Operational costs of 638 million are foreseen for the 2026 hospitality programThe 2026 World Cup s expected to far exceed the tournament record attendance of nearly 36 million set at the United Stateshosted 1994 edition which included 52 games in a 24team formatWith 48 teams in North America in 2026 FIFA previously agreed an 80game schedule but Infantino said in Qatar that decision will be reviewed A format of 104 games is possibleFIFA also forecast big increases in broadcast rights and sponsorships sales through 2026Pointing to North American time zones offering favourable coverage across the globe plus an expanded match schedule FIFA forecast total broadcast revenue of USD 426 billion through 2026 rising by nearly USD 1 billion from the 201922 period That new total is equal to one year of TV and sponsor money for Europes Champions LeagueMarketing revenue is set to rise from USD 18 billion to almost USD 27 billion though only a few deals such as CocaCola and Adidas currently extend beyond the Qatar tournamentFIFA said its USD 11 billion total revenue estimate did not include the Club World Cup that is set to relaunch in 2025 with a 32team tournament Infantino previously valued that event at USD 3 billion per editionSpending is also set to rise sharply through 2026 with FIFA again conservatively budgeting for a USD 100 million profit over four yearsFIFAs projected costs are USD 384 billion for the 2026 World Cup and USD 435 million on the Womens World Cup that starts in July in Australia and New ZealandSpending on the 2026 mens event includes a total of USD 896 million on prize money for the 48 teams plus payments to clubs for releasing their players to nationalteam duty Clubs worldwide received a total of USD 209 million from the 2022 World Cup calculated at a daily rate per playerFIFA also will pay USD 225 billion in development funds across its 211 member federations which get at least USD 2 million per year the six continental confederations and regional soccer bodiesA further USD 660 million is available in a Football Development Fund to nurture the game in all its forms and at all levels the report saidCommitting to spend tens of millions on communications such as websites and phone apps FIFA said it had lived up to its role as the main source of information for football lovers everywhereSpending of USD 367 million on governance and administration personnel is expected over the next four years Some staff in areas such as marketing and legal departments are expected to work in North America rather than FIFAs home city ZurichFIFA said its CEOlike secretary general Fatma Samoura got a salary and bonus package of 19 million Swiss francs USD 206 million last year including a bonus that doubled to 600000 Swiss francs USD 650000With so much cash at hand FIFA makes shortterm loans to Swiss public authorities through an online platform matching investors to borrowers Those thirdparty loans amounted to USD 737 million on December 31 FIFA saidThis story has been sourced from a third 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