FIFA expects to generate close to $13bn in revenue over the four-year cycle ending in 2026, more than double the amount from the 2014 tournament in Brazil. The surge is driven by the first 48-team World Cup, with 104 matches played predominantly in the United States, a market that has unlocked unprecedented broadcasting, sponsorship, and ticketing income. The prize money pool has also swelled to $655m, with the champion set to receive $50m, up from $42m in Qatar.

The financial engine rests on several innovations. FIFA introduced dynamic pricing for tickets, allowing costs to rise with demand, and launched an official resale platform that charges a 15% fee on both sides of each transaction. The expansion of the tournament added 40 extra matches, multiplying advertising inventory. Analysts at Deutsche Bank Research in London note that even the newly introduced hydration breaks have been monetised by broadcasters as sponsored segments, with 30-second slots on Fox Sports in the US selling for up to $750,000 during key matches. The sponsorship landscape has also shifted, with state-backed entities such as Saudi Aramco and Qatar Airways joining traditional brands, reflecting a broader geopolitical contest for visibility.

The commercial success has created a sharp divide. FIFA, broadcasters, and sponsors are the clear winners. Fox Sports reportedly paid $485m for US rights but stands to recoup that through advertising. In contrast, fans have borne the brunt of the pricing strategy. Official final tickets were offered at $32,970, and resale listings exceeded $2m. Even US President Donald Trump remarked he would not pay $1,000 for an opening match ticket. Supporters from South Asia to Latin America, many of whom travel long distances, faced additional hikes in flights, accommodation, and local transport—New Jersey Transit raised round-trip train fares to the final venue from $12.90 to $150 before a backlash forced a partial reduction.

FIFA is already studying a further expansion to 64 teams for future editions, a move that could bring in the vast markets of China and India. Yet the governing body’s own financial projections for the 2030 World Cup, to be hosted across six countries, forecast a $938m drop in ticket and hospitality revenue compared with the current cycle. This suggests the North American windfall may not be easily replicated. The next concrete milestone will be FIFA’s final revenue report for the 2026 tournament, expected next year, which will reveal whether the $13bn target was met and how the spoils were distributed.