Listen again - Follow the Money: FIFA's Billions

Listen again - Follow the Money: FIFA's Billions

Author: BBC World Service July 30, 2026 Duration: 18:30

This Podcast was first published June 9th 2026

With the future of football's governing body under discussion, we're giving you another chance to hear how FIFA makes most of its money from the World Cup

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has proposed the creation of a subsidiary body to run tournaments, which would include some outside investment.

Fifa has given all 211 member associations until 19 September to say whether they agree with the plan, with a straight majority to decide whether to proceed.

But there has been criticism of the plans over lack of clarity and the impact it could have on FIFA's independence.

Ahead of the World Cup, Sam Fenwick looked at how the event generates billions of dollars for FIFA - where the money comes from and how it gets spent.

Presenter: Sam Fenwick Producer: Matt Lines Editor: Stephen Ryan

(photo: Silhouette of Gianni Infantino, FIFA President and rising stock graph are seen in this illustration taken, July 28, 2026. Credit: REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration)


Behind the headlines and market numbers, there’s a human story. Business Daily from the BBC World Service digs into those stories, exploring how the forces of money and work shape lives and communities across the globe. This isn't just a recap of financial news; it’s about the tangible impact of economic decisions, from a factory floor in Vietnam to a tech startup in Nairobi. Each episode focuses on a single, compelling narrative, offering a clear and thorough examination of how business and economics function in the real world. You’ll hear directly from the people involved-entrepreneurs facing unexpected hurdles, workers adapting to new industries, and analysts deciphering local trends with global consequences. The reporting is grounded and precise, reflecting the BBC’s commitment to depth and clarity. By focusing on the daily drama inherent in our economic systems, this podcast makes the vast subject of business feel immediate and personal. Tune in for a thoughtful perspective that connects economic concepts to everyday reality, providing a deeper understanding of the world through the lens of commerce and labor.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Business Daily
Podcast Episodes
Taking Stock: Can Big Tech rivals be trusted to develop safe AI? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:27
AI: Existential threat or billion-dollar opportunity? The increasingly loud and often stark warnings from inside the tech industry - about the dangers AI might already be posing.Plus we dig into the interest rate rises f…
Power Players: Does Xbox have a future? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:22
Xbox is 25 years old and faces some of its biggest challenges yet. As cloud gaming grows and the AI boom reshapes the technology industry, even Xbox CEO Asha Sharma has acknowledged that the business "hasn't been healthy…
Can we control AI? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:28
Artificial intelligence is developing faster than many experts predicted, bringing extraordinary opportunities as well as growing concerns. Some of the industry's leading figures are even calling for the pace of developm…
The cost of war: Inside Russia's economic unease [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:28
Economic unease is growing among Russian workers as fuel shortages and Ukrainian drone strikes disrupt key sectors of the economy. Ed Butler examines the pressures facing businesses, workers and consumers, from damaged r…
Bonus: Could AI chatbots help Asia's socially isolated youth? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:39
Across Asia, a growing number of young people are becoming hikikomori, a term used to describe individuals experiencing severe social withdrawal. They shut themselves away at home, retreating from work, school and even f…
Power Players: Can new BP leadership steady the ship? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:15
This week on Power Players, Will Bain is joined by BBC Business Editor Simon Jack to explore the future of energy giant BP. The past six years have seen significant boardroom churn, while the company has sent mixed messa…
Follow the Money: Is a university degree worth the investment? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:27
The number of students going to university globally has more than doubled in the last 20 years. 269 million students around the world are enrolled in higher education, if those students were a country, it would be the 5t…