Visa locks in FIFA Extension

Visa has extended its global partnership with FIFA, maintaining its position at the governing body’s highest commercial tier across men’s, women’s, youth and esports competitions.The company will continue as FIFA’s official payment technology partner under a long-term renewal covering major tournaments including the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil and the 2030 men’s World Cup.FIFA chief business officer Romy Gai said: “Visa has been an integral partner to FIFA for nearly two decades. This renewed agreement reflects a shared ambition to innovate, inspire and bring fans closer to the game on the biggest stages in world sport.“We are proud to continue working alongside a partner that shares our vision for engaging fans, innovating, impacting communities and growing women’s football.”Visa first partnered with FIFA at the 2007 Women’s World Cup in China, making the agreement one of the governing body’s longest-running major commercial relationships.The extension gives Visa access to payment infrastructure, digital campaigns, ticketing opportunities and supporter activations across FIFA’s international tournament calendar.Its rights will also cover youth competitions and the FIFAe Finals, allowing the company to reach audiences beyond the governing body’s largest senior events.Visa used the 2025 Club World Cup and 2026 World Cup to deliver tournament activations and global engagement programmes, with FIFA citing those events as a basis for expanding the relationship.Visa chief marketing officer Frank Cooper III said: “Visa and FIFA will expand the possibilities for rich fan experiences and player aspirations through our long-standing partnership.“We both recognise that FIFA’s global tournaments not only create massive cultural moments, they generate commerce through ‘pop-up economies’ that allow Visa to help energise entire cities, driving growth and connecting communities.”That focus gives Visa a commercial role extending beyond transactions inside stadiums.World Cups generate concentrated spending across accommodation, transport, hospitality, retail and entertainment, allowing payment companies to analyse and support consumer activity in host markets.The 2027 Women’s World Cup will provide the first major activation under the renewed agreement and the first edition of the tournament staged in South America.Maintaining the partnership also gives FIFA continuity with an established global sponsor as it seeks to increase the commercial value of its women’s, youth and digital properties alongside its leading men’s competitions.