FIFA nets $15 billion from 2026 World Cup, Trump declares solo US bid for 2038 at New York finale
FIFA's 2026 World Cup will close with a $15 billion windfall, smashing forecasts, as Donald Trump uses the New York finale to pitch a solo US bid for 2038.
Record revenues dwarf forecasts
FIFA will announce $15 billion in revenue from the 2026 World Cup, according to The Guardian. The figure is $4 billion above the pre-tournament forecast of $11 billion and more than double the $5.769 billion earned from the 2022 tournament in Qatar. Gianni Infantino shared the numbers with member federations at a reception in New York on Friday, two days before the final.
This World Cup has without doubt exceeded all expectations. It is not only the largest FIFA World Cup in history, it is the largest human, social and cultural event humanity has ever witnessed, and we are all part of it.
The 48-team format, up from 36 in 2022, stretched across 104 matches that began on 11 June. Over 6.6 million fans passed through the turnstiles, a figure FIFA highlighted on 18 July.
- 2022 Qatar
- 5.769 $ billion
- 2026 forecast
- 11 $ billion
- 2026 actual
- 15 $ billion
How FIFA cashed in
Dynamic ticket pricing, introduced for the first time at a men's World Cup, let organisers adjust prices to demand, pushing gate receipts far beyond initial projections. The secondary market became a particularly rich vein: FIFA's official resale platform charged a 15 percent fee from the seller and another 15 percent from the buyer on every transaction. With demand surging, those fees compounded quickly.
Hospitality packages also reached extreme levels. The most expensive offering for the Argentina-Spain final, the "Trophy Lounge", was priced at $34,500 per person and still sold out. The combination of premium experiences and algorithmic pricing turned the tournament into FIFA's most lucrative event by a wide margin.
Trump's 2038 pitch
At the same New York reception, Donald Trump made an explicit play for the next available World Cup. The US president told attendees that his country wants to host again, this time without co-hosts.
You should choose the United States of America again. This time we'll skip Canada and Mexico.
The 2038 edition is the earliest the US could host under FIFA's rotation rules. Trump also confirmed that talks are underway about staging the Club World Cup in the United States in 2029, following the 2025 edition won by Chelsea.
Controversy and Infantino's future
The financial success arrives amid lingering anger over political interference. Before the round of 16, the suspension of American forward Folarin Balogun for a red card was lifted under pressure from the Trump administration, allowing him to face Belgium. The US lost 4-1, but the episode drew sharp criticism from European federations.
Despite that controversy, the $15 billion haul strengthens Infantino's position ahead of FIFA presidential elections in March. The Guardian notes that the windfall gives the Swiss administrator a powerful narrative of commercial growth as he seeks another term.
- Tournament kicks off with 48 teams, the largest field in World Cup history
- Pre-final reception in New York: Infantino announces $15 billion revenue; Trump declares 2038 bid
- Final: Argentina vs Spain at New York, the 104th and last match of the tournament
What comes next
The 2026 tournament closes on Sunday evening with the final between defending champions Argentina and Spain. Once the trophy is lifted, attention will shift to the bidding process for 2038, where the United States now enters as an early, vocal candidate. FIFA has not yet opened formal applications, but the financial success of the just-concluded event will shape the debate over where the World Cup goes next.
