Since the FIFA World Cup is one of the most renowned events in the world, the nation that chooses to host it is always subjected to a great deal of pressure in addition to the enthusiasm that comes along with it. This sporting extravaganza has captured the interest of people from all around the world. The standard of play at World Cup competitions has steadily risen over the course of their history. Each edition of the FIFA World Cup ushers in something fresh, be it in terms of the technological advancements made or the overall level of play.
Countries like Qatar, Russia, and South Africa have, in recent years, devoted a significant amount of time and effort to making they’re hosting the most successful it has ever been. The fact that countries are ready to spend billions of dollars more on facilities than their GDP in order to earn the rights to host the World Cup demonstrates that holding the event is the pinnacle of national pride for any nation. Let’s take a look at the most expensive FIFA World Cups of all time.
8 USA (1994) – $500 Million
The United States may not be a football powerhouse, but it staged one of the most spectacular editions in 1994. The average attendance for the 1994 World Cup was 63,991, which is the highest in World Cup history. The Brazilians defeated the strong Italians at the Rose Bowl in California to win that World Cup. The United States spent over $500 million on the World Cup, a significant amount for the 1990s. After undergoing extensive renovations prior to the World Cup, nine sites were selected. The United States will again serve as host in 2026, striving to create another masterpiece.
7 France (1998) – $2.3 Billion
In 1998, as hosts of the World Cup, France faced intense pressure after the United States set the bar so high in 1994. In addition, the 1998 World Cup increased the number of competing nations from 24 to 32. France chose 10 cities for the huge event and spent a total of $2.3 billion on facilities. France triumphed in that World Cup, and home supporters played a crucial role in their success. The average attendance at World Cup matches in 1998 was 43,511.
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6 South Africa (2010) – $3.6 Billion
The 2010 World Cup was the first to be hosted on the African continent, making it a historic event. Although there were media leaks prior to the competition alleging that FIFA accepted bribes to award the World Cup to South Africa, the host nation exceeded all expectations. For the event, several new stadiums were constructed, and historic stadiums like Soccer City were substantially restored. 10 venues in nine cities were selected, with Johannesburg hosting the final. The 2010 World Cup remains one of the most iconic tournaments, with the African culture feel and the World Cup anthem being popular among fans.
5 Germany (2006) – $4.3 Billion
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The next event on the list is the 2006 World Cup, which Germany hosted. It was Germany’s second time hosting the tournament, but it did not prevent them from spending lavishly. Despite having some of the top stadiums in the world, they spent approximately $4.3 billion preparing for the World Cup. The World Cup was a tremendous success, and Germany’s exceptional hospitality was commended. The average number of attendees at the event was 52,491.
4 Korea and Japan (2002) – $7 Billion
The 2002 World Cup was among the most awaited and unexpected tournaments in World Cup history. It was a competition in which some top World Cup teams were beaten by underdogs such as Turkey and South Korea as they finished third and fourth, respectively, against the odds. In addition, this was the very first time the event was held in Asia, and both Korea and Japan surpassed expectations. During the World Cup, they spent $7 billion and substantially transformed their country’s sporting infrastructure. In addition, the competition was well attended, with 2,705,198 individuals in overall attendance.
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3 Russia (2018) – $11.6 Billion
Russia hosted the 2018 World Cup, the second-most recent edition of the tournament. The French national team won the event, and it was the most exciting World Cup in history. Due to terrorism concerns from terrorist organizations such as ISIS, the World Cup received a great deal of attention even before it began. However, the FIFA World Cup was completed without any mishaps and without such an issue. Russia invested over $11.6 billion in the World Cup. In order to get ready for the event, they constructed some state-of-the-art stadiums and brought in turf from many other countries.
2 Brazil (2014) – $15 Billion
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Due to the fact that it was the first World Cup to use technology, the 2014 FIFA World Cup is widely regarded as one of the most significant tournaments in the traditions of football history. This tournament saw the debut of both anti-doping testing by FIFA and the goal-line technology that the organization had been developing. The World Cup was an important event for Brazil, which is why the country spent $15 billion on it and renovated several of the most famous stadiums. The investment was made in addition to the fact that Rio was going to be the host city for the Olympic Games in 2016, therefore it had a dual purpose.
1 Qatar (2022) – $220 Billion
Qatar has successfully hosted the 2022 FIFA World Cup, with Lionel Messi‘s Argentina claiming the title on the evening of 18 December 2022. Regarding expenditures, the 22nd FIFA World Cup is the most prominent. Qatar reportedly spent a record $220 billion on arrangements. The entire nation had been renovated with brand-new stadiums, hotels, and training facilities. The World Cup was held in eight venues, all of which were newly constructed and employing the most advanced imported technology. Undoubtedly, Qatar has worked diligently for this World Cup, as indicated by the statistical disparity between it and previous tournaments.
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Sources: Khel Now, Front Office Sports, Forbes
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