FIFA announced a record forecast of $11,000 million in revenue over its next four-year cycle, in which it will bring 48 teams to the 2026 World Cup, its president Gianni Infantino announced yesterday, specifying that the format is yet to be decided. has been done. Tournament.
The FIFA Council, meeting in Doha this Friday with two days left for Argentina and France to play the World Cup final, accepted an increased budget with an income of $11,000 million for the 2023-2026 cycle.
In the current cycle (2019–2022), the revenue was $7,500 million, with the World Cup having around 32 teams. One of Infantino’s most significant reforms, the World Cup will move to 48 countries in 2026, when the tournament will be hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
They will increase the number of games in the competition (currently 64) and the income from television rights which helps FIFA earn the largest share of its income.
In the current cycle, a figure of $7,500 million emerged on 20 November, 1,000 million more than the initial estimate. “Something very outstanding”, according to Infantino, in a period marked by the pandemic.
“We are convinced that the impact of the 2026 World Cup will be huge, as it has been in Qatar with three great nations, 48 teams and more sports,” he announced at a press conference held to close the competition.
“The income is going to increase in terms of broadcasting, sponsorship and entertainment for the fans. We will play in huge stadiums with a capacity of 80 to 90 thousand spectators, usually dedicated to American football.
The Italian-Swiss leader promised to discuss the format of the competition, initially planned with 16 groups of three teams, which could risk “agreements” in the third game of this first leg. If 12 groups were opted for, with two classified by key and eight best third parties, the number of matches would increase directly.
“The groups of four in Qatar have been absolutely incredible, right down to the last minute of each match. We need to reconsider that, at least re-discuss the format. If there are 16 groups of three or 12 groups of four. This will be on the agenda in the coming weeks,” he said.
Club World Cup Extra Large
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Gianni Infantino announced in a press conference yesterday that the Club World Cup will be played with 32 teams and will be played every four years from 2025, with the 2023 edition, along with the current format, to be held in Morocco in February.
“A few years ago we had decided about this competition, but it was not held due to the pandemic, leaving its place for the Copa America and the Eurocup (in 2021). It will take place in the summer (boreal) of 2025 with the 32 best teams in the world and will be as successful as the current World Cup”, Infantino explained.
In 2019, FIFA planned to hold the first edition of the expanded Club World Cup to 24 countries in China in 2021, but agreed not to hold it, leaving the dates for the postponed UEFA and CONMEBOL competitions in 2020 due to the pandemic. .
The FIFA president said that Morocco will host the 2023 edition. The African nation, surprised to reach the semi-finals of the World Cup, has already hosted the tournament in 2013 and 2014. The previous edition was in the UAE in February this year, with Chelsea raising the glass.
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