FIFA’s head of finance said yesterday he “anticipates strong revenues” leading to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Thomas Peyer tells member federations that income from broadcasting rights will add up to 53 percent of FIFA’s budgeted income of US$6.56 billion over the next four years. Around 70 percent is already contracted.

The extra income lets FIFA promise US$1.5 million annual grants to each of its 211 member federations. That’s a 20 percent increase.

FIFA’s budget, which is typically conservative and eventually exceeded, calls for a US$100 million overall profit through 2022. That should help lift FIFA’s cash reserves close to US$2 billion.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino said under his watch, soccer’s governing body has transformed from “clinically dead as an organization” to being “alive and well.” Infantino told member federations that FIFA is now “full of joy and passion with a vision for its future.”

(SD-Agencies)