FIFA's financial report confirmed that expenditure was $3.56 billion, $105 million over budget due of additional investments in football development and a $31 million overspend on the 2010 World Cup. FIFA's annual profits have grown steadily from $49 million in 2007 to $202 million in 2010, while the ruling body's reserves have reached $1.28 billion.
“FIFA is financially strong and dependent on the World Cup,” said director of finance Markus Kattner. “This illustrates the necessity for FIFA to build up and have sufficient reserves to decrease its dependency on the World Cup.”
FIFA also announced on Thursday that the berths for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil will remain the same as in 2010. Under that format, Europe is guaranteed 13 spots, Africa will have five, Asia will have four and Central and North America will have three.
South America – in addition to Brazil qualifying automatically as host – will have four spots. South America, Asia, Central and North America and Oceania were also given a half-berth, meaning one country from each region will qualify for a two-legged playoff series for an opportunity to advance as one of the final two qualifiers. The play-off series will be decided by an open draw in future, rather than pre-arranged pairings.
The FIFA Executive Committee also confirmed on Thursday during its meeting that the 2015 Women’s World Cup and 2014 Under-20 Women’s World Cup will be staged by Canada, the 2013 Under-20 World Cup will be hosted by Turkey and the 2015 Under-20 World Cup will take place in New Zealand. It was also decided that the 2013 Under-17 World Cup will be held in the United Arab Emirates, the 2015 Under-17 World Cup will take place in Chile, the 2012 Women’s Under-20 World Cup will be staged in Uzbekistan and the 2014 Under-17 Women’s World Cup will be hosted by Costa Rica.
