FIFA proposed a new system of local host committees to help manage the logistics of the 2026 World Cup -- with the groups authorized to raise money from corporate sponsors to fund transportation, stadium retrofits and viewing parties -- but FIFA also “placed extreme restrictions on their ability to do so,” according to Henry Grabar of THE ATLANTIC. Local sponsors brought on by the host committee were “limited in how they could market their association with the tournament.” They “did not get tickets or suites to games, unless the local host committee purchased them full freight from FIFA.” Additionally, the pool of potential new sponsors was “small because FIFA prohibits host committees from forming partnerships with companies that compete with existing FIFA sponsors.” A source said, “It was ridiculous to think the categories left open would in any way, shape, or form generate the money.” Grabar wrote the assumption may have been that the tournament’s main commercial partners, such as Visa and McDonald’s, would also “strike deals with local cities.” But with a few exceptions (Airbnb is paying for some train services in Philadelphia), that “did not materialize.” Local-sponsor lists have a “bit of an outfield-wall quality to them,” featuring law, real-estate, and health-care firms “instead of recognizable consumer brands.” Few local host committees have “signed up the FIFA-approved maximum of 10 sponsors” (THE ATLANTIC, 5/12).
FOR THE PLOT: BLOOMBERG NEWS’ Lowenkron & Williams wrote pulling together an event of this size is “always complex, even without the added drama in Washington.” Critics said that FIFA “gouged on ticket prices and failed to guarantee affordable transportation to the games.” Jetr Global Sports + Entertainment VP/Global Growth Strategy and Government Affairs David Francis said that tourists looking to attend multiple matches “face the added challenge of traveling across states or even between countries.” Lowenkron & Williams wrote the “biggest unknown” is President Donald Trump. The World Cup is a “big stage.” Author Jules Boykoff said that whether it is “veiled threats against the Iranian players, unsportsmanlike conduct toward America’s national cohosts or something else entirely,” Trump is “unlikely to pass up the chance to seize the spotlight” (BLOOMBERG NEWS, 5/12).
HOME BASE: The Bay Area Host Committee announced that the Paraguay men’s national team has been assigned to practice at the San Jose State base camp during the World Cup. In S.F., Noah Furtado noted Paraguay and Australia are the two teams stationed at Bay Area sites. Australia will train in Alameda at the USL Oakland Roots/Soul facility (S.F. CHRONICLE, 5/12).
FOR THE FANS: In California, Steve Scauzillo reported the L.A. County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday adopted a motion to “create unofficial fan zones” to coincide with the eight World Cup matches played at SoFi Stadium. Two official fan zones sanctioned by the FIFA World Cup were approved by the board in January in county parks. The motion was adopted by a 5-0 vote, with the goal of “expanding the opportunities for residents to experience the excitement of the World Cup without having to purchase tickets or travel far from home, while connecting the beauty of an international cultural sporting event to local culture” (ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER, 5/12).
SHOWTIME: THE ATHLETIC’s Adam Crafton notes FIFA has “drafted plans to use the MetLife Stadium field during the half-time show of the World Cup final,” making it “very likely” that the interval will “run significantly beyond soccer’s usual regulations of 15 minutes.” FIFA has “previously informed broadcast partners it intends to announce the line-up of acts for the World Cup final half-time show on May 14.” Sources said that “one idea floated uses the field for the performance,” as is usually the case with half-time shows at the Super Bowl (THE ATHLETIC, 5/13).
