Broadcasters like Fox Sports, which paid $485m for US rights, are turning hydration breaks into lucrative ad inventory. A 30-second slot costs $200,000-$300,000, peaking at $750,000 for US matches, potentially netting $250m in hydration break ads alone. UK viewers on BBC and ITV avoid such ads due to regulatory limits.

Official sponsors Adidas, Coca-Cola, and others pay heavily for visibility, with Adidas spending £50m on a campaign featuring Lamine Yamal, Jude Bellingham, and Lionel Messi. Meanwhile, FIFA covers unofficial branding like Levi's logos at stadiums.

FIFA projects $41bn global economic boost, including $17bn and 185,000 jobs in the US. However, Alexander Budzier of Oxford argues long-term benefits are minimal: host cities see visitor drops and only short-term low-wage hospitality jobs. "It creates jobs, but not wealth," he says.

The 2026 tournament could become the largest gambling event ever, with $50bn wagered ($500m per match), driven by expanded matches and US betting legalization since 2018. Flutter Entertainment predicts double the 2022 handle, while in-play betting and prediction markets surge.