FIFA’s recent announcement to establish a commercial subsidiary managing its flagship tournaments, including the World Cup, has sparked debate across the football world. While the plan faces strong criticism from European bodies like UEFA, it could offer substantial financial gains to smaller member associations.
Football finance expert Kieran Maguire, associate professor at the University of Liverpool, highlighted that the proposed model could deliver an initial payout of up to $20 million to smaller nations. This financial boost could make the plan appealing to those associations seeking greater resources.
Potential Expansion and Increased Frequency
The 2026 World Cup in North America set a record with $15 billion in revenue, nearly doubling the income of the 2022 Qatar tournament. FIFA’s commercial approach aims to further increase these figures, potentially leading to an expanded tournament size and a more frequent schedule.
- Discussions include expanding the World Cup from 48 to 64 teams.
- The controversial idea of a biennial World Cup may also resurface.
Maguire notes that investors are likely to favor more frequent and larger tournaments to maximize returns. However, he acknowledges significant challenges ahead, including fitting additional competitions into the crowded football calendar and concerns over player welfare.
“Clubs may oppose an expanded calendar as players would miss preseason training, and player unions are expected to resist any increase in tournament frequency,” Maguire said.
Controversy and Challenges
The proposed changes would require major adjustments to the existing football schedule and could face strong opposition from various stakeholders. Despite this, the financial incentives could drive support among smaller football nations eager for increased funding and global exposure.
