The 2026 World Cup is expected to generate a record-breaking $13 billion in revenue, making it the most profitable tournament in football history.
But how did a small nonprofit organisation with just a handful of employees become one of the most powerful money-making machines in global sports?
In this episode, we trace FIFA’s transformation from a struggling governing body into a global commercial empire. From João Havelange’s rise to power and Pelé’s unexpected role in FIFA’s expansion, to the birth of modern sports sponsorships, television rights, and the business model that reshaped football forever.
This is more than the story of a tournament. It’s the story of how football became one of the most valuable products in the world.
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