The Qatar World Cup is on course to generate record revenue for its organiser FIFA, insiders say.
FIFA is projected to exceed a revenue target of $6.4bn for its 2019-2022 cycle, most of which comes from the Qatar World Cup, the person familiar with the matter said, report agencies.
The one-month tournament, which begins today (Sunday), is on course to top the roughly $5.4 billion in revenue that the 2018 World Cup in Russia generated for football's governing body, a person familiar with the matter said, asking not to be identified discussing confidential information.
FIFA has pre-sold broadcasting rights, about 240,000 hospitality packages and nearly three million tickets for the event, the person said.
Marketing sales for its 2019-2022 cycle, will exceed a budgeted figure of about $1.8 billion, the person said. The World Cup is sponsored by major brands including Adidas AG and Coca-Cola.
The revenue lift comes despite concerns some fans and sponsors would boycott the event, largely because of Qatar's treatment of the migrant workers who helped build the stadiums and infrastructure needed to stage the world's biggest sporting spectacle.
Qatar's government has denied allegations its labourers are ill-treated and said the event has been a catalyst for improving its labour laws. It's been building some workers new living quarters and promised to improve safety, among other initiatives.
World Cup revenue has risen from tournament to tournament on the back of football's growing popularity around the globe - even with a controversial host. Russia faced criticism ahead of the 2018 showpiece for failing to address racism and homophobia among some of its fans.