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FIFA would bag an extra €600m from 48-team World Cup

2 months ago  Raphael   Sport News

It is a move that is gathering pace with FIFA president Gianni Infantino determined to expand the World Cup to a 48-team competition yet it has emerged that the move will net the sport's governing body a further 600 million euros.
Many have spoken out against the move that will change the make up of the historic tournament and these voices are likely to grow yet louder following the emergence of such figures.
The AFP learned on Friday courtesy of a confidential report that the move would generate a vast influx of finance for the organisation with 605 million euros considered the roundabout figure.
If successful the move would first come into play for the 2026 edition of the World Cup with there being 16 groups of three teams.
For the upcoming tournament in Russia in 2018, FIFA is expected to earn around 3.45 billion euros in revenue whilst predictions for the 2026 edition with 48 teams would see that rise to 3.95bn euros.
There would be 80 matches in comparison to the current 64 with these costs rising to 307m euros.
However television rights revenues would increase by 480m euros and marketing revenue would jump to 351m euros.
These figures may look even better for FIFA in time given the fact that two of the major sponsors for the 2018 World Cup have yet to be replaced.
Infantino will put the case before the FIFA Council on Tuesday with it deemed likely the change will be made official.
One of the more important, if slightly ignored, issues of the switch would be the health of the players involved.
The increased number of matches would still be played within the same dates as the current format which is 32 days, that means more football for players without the allowance of more time for rests and breaks.
The president of the European Club Association, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has made clear his objection to the move recently with it considered hugely damaging for the players and clubs.
"In the interest of the fans and the players we urge FIFA not to increase the number of World Cup participants, politics and commerce should not be the exclusive priority in football," he explained.