Verizon will join the FIFA World Cup as a “global sponsor,” joining the second sponsorship tier.
FIFA has signed yet another blue-chip US company as a sponsor of the 2026 North American World Cup, adding Verizon as the tournament's official communications services sponsor.
The deal gives the telecommunications giant a “global sponsor” status, FIFA's second-highest corporate partner status, and it also signed on as a U.S. regional supporter for the 2027 Women's World Cup in Brazil.
The deal marks Verizon's first with soccer's international governing body. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, but sources estimate the value of the “global sponsor” designation for the 2026 World Cup at $75 million to $100 million. Genesco will help Verizon effectuate the partnership.
Other global sponsors of the 2026 World Cup so far include Bank of America, Budweiser, Frito-Lay, McDonald's, Unilever's Dove Men+Care brand and China's Mengniu Dairy. Top-tier “FIFA Partners” of the 2026 World Cup include Saudi Arabian oil company Aramco, Adidas, Coca-Cola, Hyundai-Kia, Qatar Airways and Visa.
According to an official statement, Verizon will be responsible for stadium, community and city-wide wireless networks to keep fans, players and other stakeholders connected. The company also plans to roll out a program to allow international fans to access the Verizon network upon arrival in the U.S. and Canada.
