There is no question this is the most popular sport in the planet
FIFA President Gianni Infantino recently drew a bold comparison between two of the world’s most celebrated “football” events, the FIFA World Cup and the NFL’s Super Bowl. In an interview with FOX Sports’ Colin Cowherd, Infantino emphasized the sheer global impact of the World Cup, describing it as the equivalent of 104 Super Bowls compressed into one month. As excitement builds for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, set to take place across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, Infantino’s remarks shed light on the unparalleled reach of soccer’s premier tournament.
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“The impact will be global,” Infantino said, explaining that while the Super Bowl garners approximately 120 to 130 million viewers annually, the World Cup draws a staggering 6 billion viewers over its month-long schedule. Infantino likened the World Cup to “three Super Bowls a day,” a testament to its ability to captivate audiences worldwide. He expressed optimism about the 2026 tournament’s potential to further elevate soccer’s popularity in North America, a region where the sport continues to grow.
Before the 2026 World Cup, FIFA is introducing a reimagined version of the Club World Cup, set to be hosted in the United States from June 14 to July 13 this year. The revamped tournament, featuring 32 of the world’s top club teams, promises to be a groundbreaking event for global soccer.
Teams such as Manchester City, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, and Inter Miami will compete, along with star players like Kylian Mbappé, Harry Kane, and Lionel Messi. Infantino highlighted the significance of the tournament, describing it as “the first time there will be a club truly crowned world champion by FIFA.”
One of the key draws of the 2023 Club World Cup is its lucrative prize money, with $1 billion allocated for the tournament. The winning team alone stands to earn $125 million, marking a new high for club football. Infantino emphasized the competition’s prestige, noting that it aims to bring together the best of the best in an unprecedented showcase of talent.
Infantino’s comments reflect FIFA’s broader ambitions to expand the global reach of soccer, particularly in markets like the United States, where interest in the sport has steadily increased. With the 2023 Club World Cup and the 2026 World Cup on the horizon, FIFA’s upcoming events are set to draw unparalleled attention to the beautiful game, uniting fans across the globe.
As anticipation builds for both tournaments, Infantino’s vision underscores soccer’s power to transcend borders and create moments of shared excitement on an unmatched scale. Whether through club competitions or the World Cup, FIFA’s mission to grow and enhance the sport is poised to leave a lasting impact on the global sporting landscape.
