FIFA projects record $13 billion revenue from expanded 2026 World Cup
The governing body anticipates a financial windfall from the supersized tournament, which utilises 16 pre-existing stadiums across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
FIFA has projected that the 2026 World Cup will generate a record $13 billion in revenue for the organisation, according to data provided by Al Jazeera Global News. The tournament, which marks a significant expansion from previous editions, is scheduled to run from June 11 to July 19, 2026.
The event will feature 48 national teams competing in 104 matches, a substantial increase from the 32-team, 64-match format utilised at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. FIFA confirmed the operational parameters for this expanded structure earlier in the year, establishing the framework for the North American hosting arrangement.
The United States will host the majority of the fixtures, staging 78 games across 11 existing stadiums. This allocation includes all high-stakes knockout stage matches, such as the quarterfinals, semifinals, and the final. The logistical distribution places the bulk of the tournament activity within the US, while Canada and Mexico will each host 13 matches.
Canada will utilise two stadiums for its allocation of fixtures, while Mexico will host its 13 matches across three venues. In total, the tournament will employ 16 venues, all of which are existing infrastructure. These facilities are primarily used for National Football League, Major League Soccer, and Liga MX competitions, avoiding the need for new construction.
Financial projections indicate that ticket costs for the 2026 edition are set to break records, with final prices expected to quadruple compared to previous tournaments. The $13 billion figure represents a projection of expected revenue for FIFA and is not confirmed final earnings. The source material does not detail how this revenue is distributed among the three host nations or other stakeholders.
