The largest World Cup in history will kick off this Thursday across the US, Canada and Mexico. With 48 teams playing 104 matches, fans are bracing for a five-week marathon. But if you look past the grass, the game is also being played by corporate accountants.
Your reporter is excited to watch the games, even though my own team failed to qualify and saved me from the inevitable heartbreak. I have got some fascinating numbers for you to check out, just in case your team did not qualify either.
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FIFA proudly projects a 30 billion dollar cash injection for the host nations. Yet analysts warn the impact will be practically invisible.
For an economic giant like the US, it is a drop in the ocean, with most hotels reporting bookings way below forecasts. The real winner here is Mexico. Because its economy relies so heavily on tourism, the money carries far more weight, potentially boosting its GDP by up to half a per cent, with cities like Guadalajara, Monterrey and Mexico City feeling it the most.
Spanning 16 cities across a massive continent with no high-speed rail networks, fans and teams must rely almost entirely on planes. This flying circus means transport alone is estimated to generate over seven million tonnes of carbon dioxide. Total emissions could hit 15 million tonnes, making it the most polluting tournament in sports history.
Finally, FIFA has adopted American-style dynamic pricing, letting ticket costs fluctuate based on real-time demand. Traditional supporters are feeling priced out. Group-stage tickets have climbed to 700 dollars, while premium seats for the final top 10,000 dollars.
So you see: overpriced tickets and hotels, expensive flights, and record-breaking emissions. Sounds like fun.
But let’s be honest: if your team wins, you won’t remember any of that. And if you decide to save your money, sit at home and follow the games, remember that Euronews is here to give you live updates. The best part? It is completely free.
So, who are you supporting this time?
Watch the Euronews video in the player above for the full story.