The 2026 FIFA World Cup, now concluded, was the highest-grossing tournament in FIFA history. Total revenue reached approximately $15 billion, nearly double the $7.57 billion generated by the 2022 World Cup.

This record-breaking revenue was driven by several key factors:

• The expansion from 32 to 48 participating national teams;
• An increase in the number of matches from 64 to 104;
• Record-breaking ticket sales despite higher ticket prices;
• Significant income from broadcasting rights and commercial sponsorships.

Approximate Revenue Breakdown

- Broadcasting & Streaming Rights: $6–7 billion

- Sponsors & Commercial Partners: $4–5 billion

- Ticket Sales: $2–2.5 billion

- VIP Hospitality & Premium Packages: $1–1.5 billion

- Licensing & Merchandise: $0.5–1 billion

Ticket Revenue

The tournament featured:

• 104 matches
• An average attendance of 65,000–70,000 spectators per match

This resulted in approximately 6.8–7.3 million tickets sold. Based on the average ticket price, revenue from ticket sales exceeded $2 billion.

Broadcasting Rights

As the world's biggest football tournament, the FIFA World Cup attracts billions of viewers worldwide. Consequently, revenue from television and streaming rights sold to broadcasters across the globe reached an estimated $6–7 billion.

Expenses

It is important to note that $15 billion represents total revenue, not profit.

FIFA incurs substantial expenses to organize and deliver the tournament, including:

• Prize money for participating national teams;
• Tournament organization and operations;
• Security;
• Refereeing and VAR;
• Staffing;
• Football development programs around the world.

Even after these expenses, FIFA's revenue significantly exceeds its costs. In fact, the FIFA World Cup generates the majority of the organization's income over each four-year cycle.

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"Following the conclusion of the FIFA Club World Cup, where no player truly stood out, Paris Saint-Germain's Georgian forward Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has emerged as a legitimate Ballon d'Or contender thanks to his outstanding UEFA Champions League campaign," writes the French newspaper L'Équipe.

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Ballon d’Or has announced the 30 nominees for the 2026 Men’s Ballon d’Or.

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is among the nominees. It is the Georgian’s second consecutive nomination and the third of his career.

The full list of nominees:

🏴 Jude Bellingham
🇪🇸 Pau Cubarsí
🇪🇸 Marc Cucurella
🇫🇷 Ousmane Dembélé
🇨🇴 Luis Díaz
🇵🇹 Bruno Fernandes
🇧🇷 Gabriel Magalhães
🇳🇴 Erling Haaland
🇲🇦 Achraf Hakimi
🏴 Harry Kane
🇬🇪 Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
🇪🇸 Lamine Yamal
🇸🇳 Sadio Mané
🇧🇷 Marquinhos
🇦🇷 Lautaro Martínez
🇫🇷 Kylian Mbappé
🇵🇹 Nuno Mendes
🇦🇷 Lionel Messi
🇵🇹 João Neves
🇫🇷 Michael Olise
🇪🇨 Willian Pacho
🇲🇽 Julián Quiñones
🏴 Declan Rice
🇪🇸 Rodri
🇪🇸 Fabián Ruiz
🇫🇷 William Saliba
🇪🇸 Ferran Torres
🇫🇷 Dayot Upamecano
🇧🇷 Vinicius Júnior
🇵🇹 Vitinha

In addition to the Ballon d’Or nominees, the nominees for Teams, Coach of the Year, Goalkeeper of the Year and Young Talent of the Year have also been announced, in both the men’s and women’s categories.

 

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Khvicha Kvaratskhelia spoke about the Ballon d’Or in an interview.

Asked whether missing the World Cup could affect his chances of winning the prestigious award, Kvaratskhelia said it ultimately depends on those who decide the winner.

“It is a great honour when legends like Michel Platini and Toni Kroos consider me a favourite. When even one person believes that I deserve to win the award, it means I am doing my job well, and I want to continue performing at this level.

In football, as in life, I believe anything is possible. We will see what life has in store for me. I am ready for anything.”

The Ballon d’Or ceremony will take place in London on October 26.

Kvaratskhelia is among the 30 nominees for this year’s award.

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