The FIFA World Cup: The Most Valuable Tournament in Sports
Every four years, the FIFA World Cup captures the attention of the entire planet. Nations pause daily routines to watch matches, cities fill with fans wearing national colors, and billions of viewers tune in to support their countries. No sporting event attracts a larger global audience. While the tournament is known for unforgettable goals, dramatic upsets, and championship celebrations, it is also one of the largest business operations in the world. The World Cup began in 1930 when just thirteen nations participated in the inaugural tournament hosted by Uruguay. Since then, the competition has grown into a global event featuring teams from every continent. The tournament now reaches audiences in nearly every country and generates billions of dollars in revenue. Television rights represent the largest source of World Cup income. Broadcasters around the world pay enormous amounts of money for the opportunity to air matches. These agreements allow networks to attract massive audiences...