Australia, New Zealand Hope To Cash In On Men’s World Cup Next

The Women’s World Cup host nations are so enthused by the success of the 2023 tournament that they’re setting their sights on an even more lucrative gig: a men’s World Cup.

Amid record-breaking attendance and the Australian women’s national team’s run to the semifinals, this Women’s World Cup is projected to bring in $300 million from sponsorship revenue, $100 million from media rights, and nearly $50 million from ticket sales.

FIFA says the 2022 men’s World Cup in Qatar generated more than $6 billion in revenue, including nearly $1 billion in ticket sales alone. Host country Qatar reportedly reaped $1.56 billion.

It’s easy to see why Women’s World Cup countries would be interested in further FIFA hosting duties. 

The heads of the soccer federations in both Australia and New Zealand have separately expressed their desires to attract a men’s World Cup. That would likely be in 2034, as North America will host the 2026 event and 2030 has joint bids from partnering nations in both Europe and South America.

“It’s only natural that at some time in the future we would host a men’s World Cup,” New Zealand Football CEO Andrew Pragnell said this week. Football Australia CEO James Johnson has also said the 2034 World Cup “will be part” of the country’s future bids for major tournaments.

In a key vote of confidence, FIFA president Gianni Infantino and his executive team have been very impressed by the tournament’s fan enthusiasm and the quality of match venues, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.