It was a reminder of how deeply football has embedded itself into the emotional, economic, cultural and political fabric of modern society.

For millions of Nigerians, Arsenal’s triumph was personal. Across Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Kano, Enugu and countless towns and villages, bars overflowed with excited fans draped in red and white. WhatsApp groups exploded with banter.

Offices suddenly became tactical analysis rooms. Even those with little interest in European geography could identify the Emirates Stadium, Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice and Mikel Arteta with astonishing familiarity. Football has become the closest thing the modern world possesses to a universal civic language.

Yet beneath the excitement lies a deeper and more consequential story, one that intersects business, politics, economics, youth development and national identity.

Football today is no longer merely a sport; it is a multi-billion-dollar global industry and one of the most sophisticated ecosystems in modern capitalism.

The world’s leading football clubs are now global corporations. Clubs such as Arsenal, Manchester City, Real Madrid and Manchester United generate billions of dollars annually through broadcasting rights, sponsorships, merchandising, hospitality, tourism, digital media, and global fan engagement. Entire economies now exist around football.

Television networks spend astronomical sums securing broadcasting rights. Airlines, banks, betting companies, telecom operators, automobile manufacturers and technology firms aggressively scramble for sponsorship visibility.

Sportswear giants battle for kit partnerships worth hundreds of millions of dollars. Stadiums have evolved into year-round commercial assets hosting concerts, conferences, restaurants, museums and tourism experiences.

Football also employs millions of people globally, athletes, coaches, analysts, physiotherapists, lawyers, broadcasters, marketers, content creators, event managers, security personnel, travel operators, hospitality workers and technology developers. In many respects, football mirrors the modern economy itself.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup, scheduled to take place across the United States, Canada and Mexico from June through July, will further demonstrate football’s unparalleled global reach. Millions of fans from every continent, including many Nigerians like me, will travel across North America to participate in what has become one of humanity’s largest recurring gatherings.

Governments will spend billions on infrastructure, logistics, transportation, tourism promotion and security because they understand that football is now a geopolitical and economic instrument as much as a sporting competition.

Countries increasingly deploy football as a tool of soft power. Qatar used the 2022 World Cup to dramatically elevate its international profile.

Saudi Arabia is investing aggressively in football as part of its broader economic diversification and global rebranding strategy.

The United Arab Emirates transformed the acquisition of Manchester City into a powerful branding platform that projected Abu Dhabi onto the global stage. Across Europe, football clubs are central to tourism economies and urban identity.

Unfortunately, Nigeria, arguably one of the most football-passionate nations on earth, has not yet fully understood football’s economic potential. This is the paradox. Every weekend, millions of Nigerians consume European football religiously.

We passionately support clubs thousands of kilometres away. We know the names of foreign coaches, owners and players. Nigerian youths wear jerseys of Arsenal, Barcelona and Liverpool more proudly than they wear the shirts of many domestic clubs.

Yet our local football ecosystem remains underdeveloped and structurally fragile. Most Nigerian football clubs remain dependent on state governments for survival.

Stadium infrastructure is poor. Match-day experience is weak. Broadcasting revenues are negligible. Merchandising is underdeveloped. Club governance often lacks transparency and commercial sophistication.

Youth development structures remain inconsistent despite Nigeria’s immense reservoir of talent. Perhaps most importantly, Nigerian corporate institutions have not invested in football at the scale required to transform the industry.

This is surprising because the opportunity is enormous. Football possesses something every corporation desperately seeks, emotional connection.

Few marketing platforms can rival football’s ability to command loyalty, identity and public engagement across class, ethnicity, religion and geography.

In a country as fragmented as Nigeria, football remains one of the rare national experiences capable of creating shared emotion. Corporate Nigeria should recognise this more strategically.

The most sophisticated global companies no longer view sports sponsorship merely as philanthropy or advertising; they view it as ecosystem investment, consumer acquisition, data generation, youth engagement and brand positioning.

When companies sponsor clubs, leagues and sporting infrastructure, they are not simply buying visibility; they are buying relevance. This is why multinational brands spend billions associating themselves with football.

Nigeria’s leading banks, telecom companies, energy firms, manufacturers and financial institutions should, therefore, play a far greater role in building sustainable football ecosystems.

Sponsorship should extend beyond occasional tournament branding into long-term investments in academies, broadcasting, stadium infrastructure, women’s football, sports technology and community engagement.

The returns may not always be immediate, but they are profound. Football also has important political implications. In countries with large youth populations and high unemployment, sport can become a stabilising social force. It creates aspiration, discipline, identity and economic opportunity. It channels youthful energy away from social fragmentation and towards collective purpose.

Nigeria’s political leadership must therefore begin to treat sport as economic infrastructure rather than recreational entertainment. Well-managed sports ecosystems generate jobs, stimulate tourism, encourage urban renewal and strengthen social cohesion. They also create international visibility that money alone cannot easily purchase.

Consider how cities such as Manchester, Barcelona and Madrid derive enormous global recognition from football. Even individuals who may know little about British or Spanish politics can identify these cities instantly because football has become their global cultural ambassador.

Nigeria possesses similar possibilities. Cities like Lagos, Enugu, Aba, Kano and Port Harcourt already possess strong football cultures capable of supporting commercially viable sporting ecosystems, if properly managed. Indeed, there are encouraging signs that Nigerian football can become commercially sustainable when serious corporate capital, professional management and institutional vision converge.

One notable example is the partnership between Rangers International F.C. and Afrinvest West Africa Limited. In October 2023, Afrinvest entered into a three-year partnership with Rangers, one of Nigeria’s most iconic football institutions and a club deeply woven into the social and cultural fabric of Eastern Nigeria.

The partnership was not conceived merely as a branding exercise; it was designed to strengthen the club’s administration, improve player welfare, support medical infrastructure and help reposition Rangers as a modern professional football institution.

The results were almost immediate. Within months of the partnership, Rangers won the 2023/24 Nigeria Premier Football League title, their first league triumph in eight years and the eighth league championship in the club’s illustrious history.

Today, Rangers are once again on the brink of history. Heading into the final round of the 2025/26 NPFL season, the club sits atop the table with 65 points, narrowly ahead of Rivers United F.C. on 64 points, with one decisive fixture left against Ikorodu City F.C. on Sunday, May 24, 2026. Victory would secure Rangers a record-extending ninth Nigerian league title and represent two championships in three consecutive seasons.

That achievement would not merely be a footballing success story; it would be evidence of something larger and more important, the transformational power of properly structured private capital in Nigerian sport.

Too often, conversations about Nigerian football focus exclusively on talent. But talent alone is never enough, according to American author, orator and pastor John Maxwell.

Sustainable sporting success requires organisation, finance, medical support, governance systems, fan engagement, performance analytics and institutional stability. Football, like business itself, thrives where there is structure.

The Rangers experience demonstrates that when finance meets football, performance improves. Confidence rises. Fans return to stadium. Players become more motivated.

Administrative efficiency increases. Commercial credibility grows. Success then begins to reinforce itself. This is precisely how the great football institutions of Europe evolved over decades into globally recognised sporting enterprises.

The broader lesson for Nigeria is, therefore, clear: football clubs cannot continue operating merely as social projects or politically dependent institutions.

They must increasingly become professionally managed commercial organisations capable of attracting long-term investment capital and strategic corporate partnerships.

Rangers International’s recent resurgence offers a compelling blueprint for what becomes possible when football ambition is matched by financial discipline, institutional support and corporate vision.

Nigeria has always produced extraordinary football talents. From Nwankwo Kanu and Austin ‘Jay-Jay’ Okocha to Victor Osimhen and Asisat Oshoala, our players have excelled globally despite systemic limitations at home. Imagine what Nigeria could achieve if our football institutions matched the scale of our talent and passion.

The success of Arsenal this season also offers another lesson relevant to Nigeria. Great institutions are rarely built overnight.

After years of disappointment, near misses and criticism, Arsenal rebuilt patiently under Arteta through disciplined leadership, strategic investment, youth development and organisational clarity. Their triumph was not accidental. It was the product of vision, structure and persistence.

Nigeria itself requires a similar long-term mindset. Whether in football, business or governance, sustainable success depends less on emotional reactions and more on institution-building.

Ultimately, football is no longer merely about 90 minutes on a pitch; it is business, culture and politics. It is also media, diplomacy, identity and economics. For countries wise enough to understand its power, football can also become an engine of national transformation.

As Arsenal fans celebrate around the world and as the global football community prepares to converge on North America for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Nigeria must ask itself an important question: Will we remain merely passionate consumers of global football culture, or will we finally build a football economy worthy of our passion, talent and population?

The recent resurgence of Rangers International under a professionally structured corporate partnership offers a practical Nigerian example that football investment, when properly executed, can generate both sporting success and broader economic value.

The answer may shape not only the future of Nigerian sport, but also part of the future of Nigeria itself.

*Dr Chioke is the Group Managing Director of Afrinvest West Africa.

]]> https://techeconomy.ng/football-business-and-nigerian-politics-lessons-from-arsenals-epl-triumph/feed/ 0 https://techeconomy.ng/2026-fifa-world-cup-to-boost-tv-shipments-to-africa-other-regions/ https://techeconomy.ng/2026-fifa-world-cup-to-boost-tv-shipments-to-africa-other-regions/#respond Sat, 03 Jan 2026 09:16:16 +0000 https://techeconomy.ng/?p=173617 Global annual TV shipments to Africa and other regions are projected to exceed 210 million units in 2026, driven primarily by promotional activity associated with the FIFA World Cup.

According to Omdia’s latest TV Sets (Emerging Technologies) Market Tracker: Forecast – 3Q25, that would mark 1% year-on-year growth, as the boost from the sports event is tempered by deteriorating demand in the Chinese market and growing concerns over TV memory price increases.

Shipments are set to rise from 208 million units in 2025 to 210 million units in 2026.

Looking further ahead, Omdia’s forecast points to global TV shipments approaching 212 million units in 2029.

The fastest-growing markets in 2026 are forecast to be in Europe, where Western European TV shipments are projected to grow 3.2% and Eastern Europe is on track to see a 3.1% increase. North America, the host region for the tournament, is also poised for steady growth of 2.2%.

These promising growth rates stand in stark contrast against the outlook for China, where TV shipments are expected to decrease by 4.7% year-on-year in 2026.

The downturn, which began with a 12% year-on-year drop in 3Q25, follows the end of local government funding that artificially boosted demand during 2025.

“The weakness of demand in China for TVs in 2026 will have a profound impact on the global market,” said Matthew Rubin, principal analyst, TV Set Research, Omdia. “Chinese brands will be looking to international markets for growth opportunities, potentially intensifying competitive pressures during a period of significant marketing activity and strong demand.”

Emerging Opportunities in India and APAC

Over the longer term, India is set to become a key market for Chinese brands, fostering competition and improving consumer choice.

This focus on a large, expanding market will support growth in the Asia & Oceania region, where shipments are likely to increase 2.6% year-on-year in 2026.

With a CAGR of 2.2% from 2025 to 2029, this will be the fastest growing region globally.

Mini LED backlight technology will continue to be a top-performing segment, with 16.9% year-on-year growth anticipated in 2026 and a 9.2% CAGR from 2025 to 2029. Within this segment, RGB mini LED is being gradually introduced at premium price points, but is expected to fall in price and expand in market penetration rapidly over the outlook period.

The data and insights are based on Omdia’s latest TV Sets (Emerging Technologies) Market Tracker: Forecast – 3Q25, which provides detailed market tracking and projections for the global TV industry.

Across Africa, sports have played a significant role in shaping diplomatic relations, enhancing soft power, and fostering goodwill on the global stage.

This article delves into the multifaceted role of sports diplomacy in African international relations, exploring its impact on diplomacy, development, and identity, while also considering the influence of deposit limits on Parimatch and other betting platforms in shaping perceptions and opportunities in the sports betting industry.

1. Uniting Nations Through Sports

Sports have the unique ability to transcend borders, languages, and cultural differences, bringing people together in a spirit of camaraderie and mutual respect.

African countries have leveraged sports diplomacy to strengthen ties with other nations, using sporting events and exchanges as platforms for dialogue and cooperation.

Events such as the African Cup of Nations (AFCON), the All-Africa Games, and international competitions hosted by African countries serve as opportunities for diplomatic engagement, cultural exchange, and diplomacy through sport.

2. Enhancing Soft Power

Sports diplomacy enhances the soft power of African nations, allowing them to showcase their cultural heritage, values, and achievements on the global stage.

Successful sports teams and individual athletes become symbols of national pride and identity, projecting a positive image of their countries to the world.

Moreover, hosting major sporting events attracts international attention and tourism, boosting the economy and raising the profile of African nations in the international arena.

3. Fostering People-to-People Relations

Sports diplomacy fosters people-to-people relations, forging connections and friendships between individuals from different countries.

Athletes, coaches, and sports officials often serve as ambassadors of their nations, building personal relationships and cultural understanding through sports exchanges and competitions.

These interactions contribute to a sense of global citizenship and solidarity, transcending political divides and promoting peaceful coexistence.

4. Addressing Social and Development Challenges

Sports diplomacy has the potential to address social and development challenges in African countries, leveraging the power of sports to promote education, health, and social inclusion.

Sports programs and initiatives, supported by diplomatic efforts, can empower marginalized communities, promote gender equality, and address issues such as poverty, HIV/AIDS, and youth unemployment.

By harnessing the unifying power of sports, African nations can work together to achieve common goals and improve the well-being of their citizens.

5. Diplomatic Engagement Through Mega Events

Mega sporting events provide African countries with opportunities for diplomatic engagement and international cooperation on a grand scale.

Hosting events such as the FIFA World Cup, the Olympics, or regional championships requires collaboration with other nations, international sports federations, and diplomatic partners.

Through hosting agreements, joint initiatives, and cultural exchanges, African countries strengthen diplomatic ties, promote tourism, and showcase their capabilities as hosts and organizers.

6. Leveraging Sports for Peacebuilding

Sports diplomacy plays a crucial role in peacebuilding efforts across Africa, bringing together conflicting parties and promoting reconciliation through shared sporting experiences.

Initiatives such as sports for development programs, peace tournaments, and inter-community sports leagues provide platforms for dialogue, conflict resolution, and social cohesion.

By uniting people around a common goal, sports diplomacy contributes to building trust, fostering understanding and laying the foundations for lasting peace and stability.

Conclusion

In conclusion, sports diplomacy serves as a valuable tool for African countries to engage with the international community, promote mutual understanding, and address global challenges.

By leveraging the unifying power of sports, African nations can strengthen diplomatic relations, enhance soft power, and contribute to peace, development, and cultural exchange on the global stage.

Moving forward, it is essential for African governments, sports organizations, and civil society actors to continue harnessing the potential of sports diplomacy to advance their diplomatic objectives and promote shared values of cooperation, tolerance, and respect.

The event, hosted at the imposing Yudala Heights on 13 Idowu Martins Street, Victoria Island, Lagos on Sunday, December 18, 2022, witnessed a convergence of key stakeholders in the IT industry, including over 100 partners as well as staff of TD Africa and Vivo.

It was an electrifying event, with the viewing of the FIFA World Cup final which was keenly contested between eventual winners Argentina and former holders, France taking centre stage.

But more importantly, the occasion provided a unique opportunity for attendees to bond, network, party, play games and enjoy delightful refreshments, all in an atmosphere of utmost relaxation and excitement.

Although action on the pitch between Argentina and France kept many enthralled, it was not just the players who traded tackles on the day as attending partners also participated in a series of competition for several juicy prizes won during the game sessions.

Participants with knowledge of football and some of the amazing devices/accessories and other facts about Vivo went home with great prizes.

Items won by partners who were present at the viewing party include branded gifts and other collaterals such as cookery and cutlery sets, bags and bottles, footballs and other FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 memorabilia, courtesy of Vivo.

There was also a lot to eat and drink for all attendees.

Foluso Olulade, Head of Marketing, TD Africa, while speaking on the success of the event, hailed participating partners for making it a fun gathering.

“It was a great ambience to bond with partners and other stakeholders. With the passion associated with football, the turnout was great as guests had a really good time. Our partners mean so much to us. They are the reason we have remained in the forefront of trade revolution on the continent for more than two decades. We are also glad to have been able to contribute to their smiles during this festive season.

“We were leveraging the platform of the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup to deepen engagement with our partners (resellers). This is important when you consider that we operate in an industry where we can’t always be transactional in our approach. We must build and maintain a solid relationship with customers, to maintain top-of-mind awareness and brand affinity,” he added.

One of the objectives of the event was to deepen the bond and engagement with partners. In addition, the occasion also served to create awareness on new products from Vivo.

Attendees had the opportunity to see new products and ask questions, which were answered.

Additionally, participants had the opportunity to expand their network by making new acquaintances.

Before the football match began, there was ample opportunity for attendees to chat with and engage others. It was an event that left many participants delighted.

Speaking after the event, one of the partners present expressed gratitude to TD Africa and Vivo for delivering an awesome experience.

“Thank you to TD for always hosting us. I had fun. It means a lot to me to know that TD is not just about business. It shows that they care about their customers and would like to see them happy.”

“I think it was thoughtful of TD Africa and Vivo as I had a wholesome experience,” said another partner.

TD Africa, through its strategic partnerships, unwavering mission of diffusing accessible, affordable and usable products and services across Africa and other customer-facing campaigns, has consistently delivered exciting experiences for Nigerians.

Millions of people have also benefited from its strong approach to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and gender-sensitive initiatives as well as its track record of regularly celebrating its partner and customer base, earning the company commendation from the public.

Here are some photos from the ceremony:

With more than one million fans expected to travel to Qatar for the tournament, Visa has installed 5,300 contactless-enabled payment terminals at official FIFA venues, making FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 the most payment-enabled FIFA tournament ever.

Visa will also trial new payment innovations to give fans easy access to simple and secure digital ways to pay.

The FIFA World Cup provides a global stage for Visa to showcase and test new technologies, enhance the fan experience and leave a lasting impression on the host country.

Visa will bring a number of digital payment solutions to Qatar, including several limited pilots to demonstrate how future Visa payment solutions may come to life:

· Pay with Your Face: Marking the first-time it will be used for payments in Qatar, facial recognition technology is a collaboration between Qatar National Bank (QNB) and POP ID and supported by Visa via tokenization.

The solution allows customers to authenticate payments using just their face, without a physical card or mobile phone after initial enrollment. It will be piloted at three Flat White Specialty Coffee branches.

· Card Art Gets Animated: As consumers become more accustomed to getting things instantaneously, Visa is piloting a digital card issuance solution for limited cardholders in Doha.

After simply scanning a QR code, a digital prepaid card will be instantly issued and can be added to a mobile wallet. 

The digital card will feature animated card art, with the official mascot La’eeb, demonstrating a future in which consumers could bring greater personalization and even digital animation to their Visa cards.

· Acepting Payments Gets Simpler for SMBs: In partnership with three Qatar-based banks the Visa Tap to Phone solution is now available to merchants in Qatar who want to fast-track their ability to accept digital payments in advance of the expected tourist influx.

Visa Tap to Phone makes it easier for merchants to use their Android NFC-enabled devices they already own to accept contactless payments—simply by downloading an app.

· Tap to Ride Around Doha: Keeping traffic flowing smoothly during FIFA World Cup has been a top priority and Visa, in partnership with Qatar’s Ministry of Transport, is enabling contactless payment acceptance on taxis so fans and Qatari residents will be able pay for their trips with their Visa card or smartphone, making paying for their journeys in and around Doha faster and more convenient.

Earlier this month, Visa unveiled Visa Masters of Movement, a first-of its-kind hybrid experience featuring an interactive pitch at the FIFA Fan Festival in Doha where fans will be able to create digital art inspired by their own signature movements.

Eligible fans will have the option to mint this digital art into their own NFT in partnership with Crypto.com.

Dr. Saeeda Jaffar, Senior Vice President and Group Country Manager for GCC at Visa, said: “As FIFA’s long-standing partner, Visa wants to give football fans from around the world the best way to pay in Qatar, while experiencing exciting new innovations such as the fusion of art, football and technology at Visa’s Masters of Movement venue. With thousands of contactless payment terminals, FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 promises to be the most payment-enabled FIFA tournament ever for the more than one million fans coming to enjoy the magic of football.”

Visa has been FIFA’s Official Payment Technology Partner since 2007.

As a global supporter of both men’s and women’s football, Visa aims to offer experiences that bring people closer to the action, whether they are among the one million people anticipated in Qatar or the five billion viewers expected worldwide for this year’s tournament. 

In addition to providing the latest in payment innovations at official FIFA venues, Visa seeks ways to further its commitment to uplift lives through the power of sport through programs such as Financial Football, a video game that combines entertainment and education in an action-packed virtual football tournament.

The Visa Masters of Movement auction features digital art inspired by iconic goals from five legendary footballers that have been minted into unique NFTs, available now on Crypto.com.

Later this month, the Visa Masters of Movement experience will come to life on an interactive pitch at the FIFA Fan Festival in Doha, Qatar and will allow fans to create digital art inspired by their signature movements. 

Eligible fans will have the option to mint this digital art into their own in partnership with Crypto.com, the official cryptocurrency trading platform sponsor of FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

“Visa Masters of Movement is a unique recreation of the experience of seeing iconic movements in digital art form. What we want to show is that the Visa network enables fluid and seamless movement of money around the world, just as the best football players move across the pitch,” said Dr Saeeda Jaffar, Visa’s Senior Vice President and Group Country Manager for the GCC at Visa. “As the world comes together to celebrate FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, Visa is proud to partner with Crypto.com to uplift the local communities by supporting Street Child United. We believe that when everyone is included, everyone wins.”

Akshay Chopra, Vice President and Head of Innovation & Design at Visa Central Europe, Middle East and Africa, added: “Now at the centre of payments conversations globally, NFTs have given new impetus for the creator economy, particularly in art and sports. As the region that minted Visa’s first NFT globally, we are delighted that the Masters of Movement NFTs are being launched at our CEMEA Innovation Center, and excited to be able to share this amazing experience with everyone, everywhere.”

Bid Now on Crypto.com

Starting today (noon GMT) through November 8 (9:00 pm GMT), football fans can bid on the Visa Masters of Movement NFTs on Crypto.com.

The auction brings together five unique works of art inspired by iconic FIFA World Cup and FIFA Women’s World Cup goals from legendary footballers: Jared Borgetti, Tim Cahill, Carli Lloyd, Michael Owen and Maxi Rodriguez minted into NFTs.

The digital artwork was designed using an algorithm by award-winning XK Studios which transformed the iconic movements into dynamic works of art.

A unique collector’s item, fans with the highest bid for each NFT at the close of the auction will receive the NFT in their Crypto.com wallet along with a high-quality printable art file and signed memorabilia from the legendary player featured in the NFT.

Visa will grant all auction proceeds to Street Child United, a charitable organization incorporated and operating in the United Kingdom, whose mission is to tackle the widespread stigma that street-connected children face globally.

“We are thrilled to partner with Visa to give fans a new way to engage with and experience the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 while benefiting Street Child United,” said Stuart Isted, General Manager, Middle East and Africa at Crypto.com. “it’s an honour to partner with such iconic global brands and football legends to bring the game to life through art.”

Legendary Australian footballer Tim Cahill said: “In Visa Masters of Movement, the players are artists, and the playing field is their canvas. It’s amazing to see the way that one of my most memorable goals has been transformed into digital art and then minted into an NFT. I think that the community focus of the auction is even more impressive, with all proceeds benefitting Street Child United. I could not be prouder to be a part of this and to work with brands like Visa and Crypto.com that create such unique opportunities to give back to the community.”

Fans Become Artists at FIFA Fan Festival

At the centre of the FIFA Fan Festival in Doha (November 19-December 18), Visa invites thousands of fans to create their legendary moves in the free-standing Visa Masters of Movement space.

Fans step onto a digital LED pitch outfitted with tracking technology to capture and transform their iconic movements into digital art.  

Beyond taking a shot at a goal or showing off their skills while playing with other fans to create personalized dynamic artwork, fans will choose the colour scheme based on their favourite national colours.

Digital art will be emailed as a souvenir and eligible fans can also choose to receive the digital art minted as a one-of-a-kind NFT.

Throughout the immersive Visa Masters of Movement experience, fans can learn about new ways Visa is enabling the movement of money across the world, including emerging technologies like crypto, and other digital solutions that provide more people with access to the global economy.

Visa has been FIFA’s Official Payment Service Partner since 2007. As a global supporter of both men’s and women’s football around the world, Visa aims to offer experiences that bring people closer to the action, whether they are among the 1 million people anticipated in Qatar or the 5 billion viewers expected worldwide for this year’s tournament.

Always anticipating the next move in payments, Visa provides the latest in payments innovations at official FIFA venues and seeks ways to further its commitment to uplift lives through the power of sport through programs such as Financial Football, a video game that combines entertainment and education in an action-packed virtual football tournament.