Infantino will be able to show the budget is healthy with cash reserves of $2.74B and a revenue of $6.4BGETTY IMAGES
Record financial results suggest FIFA has "weathered the deepest crisis in its history," after a '15 investigation and corruption scandal "left the governing body's reputation in tatters," according to Rob Harris of the AP. Although FIFA President Gianni Infantino's leadership "has come under criticism" from UEFA, Infantino will be "able to show the budget is in a healthy state." The '15-18 financials, including cash reserves of $2.74B and revenue of $6.4B, "exceed the forecasts presented to the FIFA Congress last June." This "despite FIFA not filling its full slate of sponsors" for the '18 World Cup, as several sponsors "did not renew" after the '14 tourney in Brazil. FIFA claims that it now has a "far more rigorous system of financial controls designed to guard against further corruption." FIFA is also "trying to secure backing to expand the Club World Cup and develop a Global Nations League, a mini-World Cup for national teams, to further boost revenue." The strong financials come amid "questions about the lack of parity for World Cup prize money between the men's and women's tournaments." FIFA has "acknowledged concerns of female players about the financial disparities while pointing to funding to grow the women's game" (AP, 3/6).
