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October 2024 World Cup Digest
This edition covers:
FIFA Collect - Right to Buy 2026 Tickets
As mentioned in a previous newsletter, FIFA launched FIFA+ Collect, a digital marketplace to earn “Right to Buy” tickets. FIFA+ Collect announced on its socials that there’s a new challenge that don’t require an early access card. See below and visit the here for more info.
2026 Final with “Super Bowl-styled” Half-time Show + Tickets to 2025 Club World Cup
Those that love a spectacle and mixing sport with entertainment, will love to know that FIFA and Global Citizen teamed up where Global Citizen will produce a “Super Bowl-style” halftime show for the 2026 Final in New York New Jersey stadium.
Global Citizen is an advocacy organization that actively fights world hunger. As part of their 4-year partnership, the plan is to use the global platform to drive real change through sport & activism. The article also discusses how fans will be incentivized to take action on Global Citizen’s signature issues as a way to potentially earn tickets to the 2025 CLUB World Cup (more about that below.
My reaction in one emoji about a “Super Bowl-style” halftime show: 🤢
Almost certainly, the 2026 FINAL will be the most expensive final in World Cup history (see a historical breakdown of face-value tickets here). With this type of production, the ticket prices for the final may reach absurd levels. Hopefully the fans of the respective teams are still able to reasonably attend through their federation’s ticket allocation.
I’m sure there are plenty of fans out there that enjoy this type of production. You do you.
To wrap it up, my reaction to FIFA in one gif:
FIFA Club World Cup 2025: What Is It / Host Cities / Media
First - are you wondering what is a “Club World Cup" and what makes the 2025 version unique?
Read here for some in depth analysis from Sporting Intelligence. It is slightly outdated as more details have been released but I supplemented it below. That said, there’s still plenty to unpack.
Some bullet points:
The tournament will be held from June 15 to July 13, 2025, in the USA, overlapping with other major events like the CONCACAF Gold Cup and Women's Euros.
It’s a revamp of the existing Club World Cup and for the first time, will comprise of 32 teams from around the globe.
These are the 12 Host Stadiums announced (5 are also 2026 World Cup hosts).
There’s also some concerns that are best detailed here from SportsPro about how fans will be able to watch the drama unfold.
A few highlights include:
FIFA had targeted $4 billion in media revenue from the expanded competition, but potential broadcasters have rejected the proposed sums, citing uncertainty over tournament’s overall appeal.
An initial $1 billion global rights deal with Apple, amounting to only a quarter of FIFA's revenue target, collapsed, forcing FIFA to revert to regional media rights sales, which have also stalled due to broadcasters’ skepticism.
The absence of a broadcast deal has discouraged sponsors, who have been quoted $150 million for exposure without clarity on television coverage.
FIFA may need to self-fund the tournament or bring in an investment group.
US Hoping to Take Advantage of Sport’s Popularity at All-Time High for 2026
USA has a less than favorable reputation in the sporting world when it comes to soccer/football and one that doesn’t mesh well with the reality of its grwoth. Well, according to For Soccer, the fandom within the country is at an all-time high and many are hoping this not only reflected in 2026 but also another growth agent.
FIFA Visit to 2027 Hosts, Brazil
If you’re interested in reading about the official visit to Brazil by FIFA for 2027 prep, see below:
FIFA Job Openings for 2026
The last newsletter had a high level of interest in the careers listed via On Location for hospitality jobs for the 2026 World Cup.
To end the headliners for this edition, I thought I’d link directly to all open FIFA jobs related to the 2026 World Cup. Good luck - and remember where you get the lead.
Bonus Content
U20 Women’s World Cup
Ronaldinho Ambassador for 2026
Which means, this is a great excuse to look at highlights of Ronnie at his best.
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