ZURICH (AP) — FIFA says Visa has extended its World Cup sponsorship deal through the 2018 and 2022 tournaments.
The value of the deal was not disclosed.
FIFA President Sepp Blatter says “we are delighted to have such a strong global brand by our side until at least 2022.”
Visa signed as a top-tier World Cup sponsor in 2007 following a controversial legal suit brought by FIFA’s former financial services partner Mastercard.
FIFA paid more than $90 million to settle that case after a New York judge criticized the governing body for breaching Mastercard’s exclusive negotiating rights.
FIFA marketing director Thierry Weil says “Mastercard did not come to us and declare an interest to be part of the World Cup 2018 and ’22.”
