Conference Presentation, Fireside Chat
A Conversation with FIFA President Gianni Infantino | Global Conference 2024
- The 2026 FIFA World Cup is scheduled for June and July 2026 across the United States, Mexico, and Canada, beginning with an opening game in Los Angeles.
- The 2026 tournament will feature 104 matches hosted in U.S. NFL stadiums with capacities ranging from 60,000 to 80,000 spectators.
- A new Club World Cup competition is planned to commence in 2025, featuring top clubs from around the globe.
- FIFA anticipates global participation in World Cup qualifiers will increase from 130 countries in 2016 to 211 current participants, with room for further expansion.
- A privately funded grassroots initiative aims to eliminate financial barriers for youth and high school players, aligning U.S. soccer school spending with American football infrastructure.
- Investment in women's soccer is projected to surge following U.S. success, prompting European and Asian clubs including Real Madrid, PSG, Barcelona, and Chelsea to increase spending.
- The strategy involves acquiring elite international players to demonstrate a "path to glory" for American youth comparable to basketball, football, baseball, and ice hockey.
- Marketing efforts will leverage global connectivity and mobile devices, anticipating that a star player from specific regions like India or China will drive viewership within that area.
- The "Messi effect" is expected to sustain high demand for matches, potentially resulting in ticket prices exceeding those of the Super Bowl.
- FIFA projects that during matches, activity will effectively halt in the two participating countries, with zero crimes reported during the 90-minute duration.
- Over the next few years, World Cup events are intended to shift the perception of soccer among American parents from a niche activity to a primary vehicle for social and educational benefits.