Controversial CONCACAF World Cup yields record profits for FIFA
Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- The 2026 North, Central America, and Caribbean (CONCACAF) World Cup has been marred by controversies, including political interference and high ticket prices.
- Despite these issues, FIFA has reportedly achieved record profits.
- FIFA President Gianni Infantino's position is seen as strengthened by these financial gains.
The upcoming 2026 World Cup, set to be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, is already facing significant controversy. Reports indicate that the tournament has been plagued by political interference and excessively high ticket prices, raising concerns among fans and observers. These issues have cast a shadow over the preparations for the event.
Despite the controversies, the Fรฉdรฉration Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) appears poised to achieve record-breaking profits from the tournament. This financial success is expected to further solidify the position of FIFA President Gianni Infantino, whose leadership has been central to the organization's recent financial strategies.
Bloomberg reported that the "controversial World Cup" has made FIFA even richer. The analysis suggests that while the tournament has been criticized for various reasons, including political meddling and unaffordable ticket costs, these challenges have not hindered FIFA's financial performance. Instead, the organization seems to have leveraged these circumstances to its advantage, maximizing revenue.
Originally published by Chosun Ilbo in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.