World Cup budget cut ‘without compromises’

FIFA has slashed more than US$100 million (S$128 million) from its operating budget for this summer’s World Cup in North America, The Athletic reported.

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In its annual report in 2024, the world football governing body’s projected budget for the 2023-26 cycle included US$1.12 billion for operational expenses out of a total budget of US$3.756 billion.

The US$1.12 billion included US$280 million for technical services, US$159 million for event transport, US$145 million for safety and security, and US$79 million for guest management.

However, four different sources told The Athletic that FIFA’s staff at its US headquarters in Miami are feeling strains after learning that cuts to the operating budget — including areas of safety, logistics, security and accessibility — had "comfortably exceeded" US$100 million.

A FIFA spokesperson issued a statement to The Athletic for March 10’s story.