The FIFA World Cup is not only one of the biggest sporting events in the world, it is also a huge business. Thanks primarily to the sale of broadcasting and marketing rights, FIFA generates billions of dollars in revenue every four years and, as the following chart shows, generates a considerable surplus after deducting all costs. Looking at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, for example, FIFA's revenue totalled 4.83 billion dollars, while expenses amounted to just 2.22 billion dollars.

While television rights ($ 2.43 billion) and marketing rights ($ 1.58 billion) were the biggest items on FIFA's credit side, contributions to the local organising committee ($ 453 million), TV production costs ($ 370 million) and prize money ($ 358 million) were FIFA's biggest expenses for the 2014 tournament. the FIFA only $100 million for the FIFA World Cup Legacy Fund, which aims to support the long-term impact of the tournament by financing infrastructure projects and other initiatives in the host country.

Given FIFA's $2.6bn surplus, it seems that the world governing body could do even more to leave a meaningful legacy in the countries that set the stage for its biggest show.

You can find more infographics at Statista

The FIFA World Cup is not only one of the biggest sporting events in the world, it is also a huge business. Thanks primarily to the sale of broadcasting and marketing rights, FIFA generates billions of dollars in revenue every four years and, as the following chart shows, generates a considerable surplus after deducting all costs. Looking at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, for example, FIFA's revenue totalled 4.83 billion dollars, while expenses amounted to just 2.22 billion dollars.

While television rights ($ 2.43 billion) and marketing rights ($ 1.58 billion) were the biggest items on FIFA's credit side, contributions to the local organising committee ($ 453 million), TV production costs ($ 370 million) and prize money ($ 358 million) were FIFA's biggest expenses for the 2014 tournament. the FIFA only $100 million for the FIFA World Cup Legacy Fund, which aims to support the long-term impact of the tournament by financing infrastructure projects and other initiatives in the host country.

Given FIFA's $2.6bn surplus, it seems that the world governing body could do even more to leave a meaningful legacy in the countries that set the stage for its biggest show.

You can find more infographics at Statista