MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

FIFA announces 631 million USD profit in 2007/2010

President Joseph S. Blatter praised success of the South Africa World Cup.

Football's governing body FIFA said Thursday that they had achieved a profit of 631 million US dollars over a four year period starting 2007. FIFA revenue during this period was 4.189 billion USD, while the expenses amounted to 3.558 billion USD, the organisation said in a statement.

“This very positive result reflects the financial success of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, which has allowed FIFA to continue with its development programs and the organization of football competitions and events.

The financial result from this period has also helped to strengthen FIFA’s reserves (now amounting to USD 1,280 million), which is required by the FIFA Statutes”, according to the report that was made public by the Executive Committee chaired by President Joseph S. Blatter.

There was further good financial news for the organisation as it was revealed that TV rights for the Middle East and selected territories in Asia and Latin America for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups had been sold for 1.7 billion USD, which represented a 90% increase compared to the same territories for the 2010 and 2014 World Cup competitions.

FIFA said that the 2014 World Cup slots would be the same as they were for 2010, with Asia having 4.5, Africa 5, North and Central America and the Caribbean 3.5, Oceania 0.5, South America 4.5 and Europe 13 teams. The final place would be for the hosts, Brazil.

“For the play-offs relating to the half slots, a draw will determine how the four confederations involved will pair off”, FIFA said.

FIFA also said that that Canada would host the 2015 women's World Cup.

A FIFA executive committee meeting in Zurich Thursday took the decision after the only other candidate, Zimbabwe, withdrew, citing infrastructural problems. The next women's World Cup will be held this year in Germany June 26-July 17.

Canada will also host the women's under-20 World Cup in 2014, FIFA said.

FIFA awarded the 2013 men's under-20 World Cup to Turkey, while New Zealand will host the competition in 2015.

Other competitions awarded were: the under-17 World Cup 2013 to the United Arab Emirates, the under-17 World Cup 2015 to Chile, the Under-20 women's World Cup 2012 to Uzbekistan, while Costa Rica will host the under-17 women's World Cup in 2014