Why the football World Cups are the teat everyone wants to squeeze

BarcelonaFive weeks of competition paralyzed the world during the celebration of the men's Football World Cup. It has been the most important event of recent years and the Spanish team of Lamine Yamal, Pau Cubarsí, Ferran Torres, Pedri and company celebrated the triumph in a final decided in extra time against Argentina (1-0). La roja was the best squad of the 48 that took part in the most extensive edition in dates and teams. FIFA, governed by Gianni Infantino, doubled down on the bet compared to the Qatar World Cup. More countries involved, more matches (104) and, ultimately, more money at stake. Even hydration breaks were normalized in the middle of both halves for advertising reasons.The revenue pie of this World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada amounts to 15 billion dollars, according to data provided by FIFA itself, an amount that represents double (+100%) the figures obtained in the 2022 tournament. The prizes for the 48 participating federations amounted to 655 million, 50% more than in Qatar. Spain, as the winning team, pocketed 50 million, of which a large part went to the players and coaches. 750,000 gross euros per footballer, that is, around 377,000 net in the case of those who play for Barça, where taxation is a bit higher than in other regions of the state such as Madrid, Galicia, Navarra or the Basque Country.

This World Cup has also left spectacular figures in terms of attendance at the sixteen official stadiums. Despite the high price of tickets and accommodation, FIFA celebrated that the stadiums were filled with 6.5 million people in the 106 matches played. In the group stage alone, the following was observed in situ of the finals exceeded 4.6 million spectators. As for the stadium occupancy rate, the round of 16 marked a turning point. From then on, it bordered on 100%. The sign " was common.full house on the screens of the venues that hosted the matches. In the final alone, attendance at Spain-Argentina was 80,663 people.

The empowerment of small federations

The body that regulates world football projected 10 billion dollars in revenue for this World Cup, but increased forecasts by 50% thanks, in part, to imaginative formulas such as selling pieces of the grass on which the final was played for $3,000. It also participated in the ticket resale and catering businesses. The data of hot dogs sold only in the group stage is scary: 300,000 were consumed. One after another, the row would be 63 kilometers long.

The commercial mammary gland was also squeezed when selling advertising during broadcasts, with 30-second slots valued between $250,000 and $750,000. Hydration breaks alone generated an additional $500 million in ads.

Despite the poor spectacle in various duels, the accumulated fatigue in the footballers' legs due to an increasingly tight schedule and the complaints of some national coaches, this business model represents a one-size-fits-all approach that strengthens Infantino at the head of FIFA. The Swiss leader is the main stakeholder in opening the World Cups to small federations that a few years ago could not imagine participating. For example, Cape Verde, one of the great surprises of the tournament, received twelve million dollars in prize money. This empowerment helps Infantino to receive support for his re-election, scheduled for 2027, and also for his plans to open the tournament to private investors for the 2030 World Cup, which will be held in Spain, Portugal, and Morocco. All of this to continue doing business with the most universal sport.