Visa will be introduced as FIFA's new financial services partner at a news conference at the world football body's headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland. Visa CEO Christopher Rodrigues and FIFA president Sepp Blatter are expected to make the announcement, Associated Press, has reported. "The deal was confirmed Wednesday by officials close to the negotiations who spoke on condition of anonymity because the agreement hadn't yet been officially announced," the newsagency stated, although "FIFA spokesman Andreas Herren said he was unable to confirm the deal."
If the contract is signed, Visa will become the fifth company to join FIFA's top tier of sponsors for the 2007-2014 period, joining Coca-Cola, Adidas, Sony and Hyundai. A sixth sponsor is expected to be announced at a later date. The deal will make Visa the official credit card at all of FIFA's major competitions, including the FIFA World Cup and give the company exclusive advertising rights. Visa is also a global sponsor of the Olympic Games and the 2007 Rugby World Cup.
Credit card rival MasterCard has been a longtime FIFA World Cup sponsor, including this year's tournament in Germany.
If the contract is signed, Visa will become the fifth company to join FIFA's top tier of sponsors for the 2007-2014 period, joining Coca-Cola, Adidas, Sony and Hyundai. A sixth sponsor is expected to be announced at a later date. The deal will make Visa the official credit card at all of FIFA's major competitions, including the FIFA World Cup and give the company exclusive advertising rights. Visa is also a global sponsor of the Olympic Games and the 2007 Rugby World Cup.
Credit card rival MasterCard has been a longtime FIFA World Cup sponsor, including this year's tournament in Germany.
See also: Follow the money to World Cup ticketing (30 Mar) and Man-United-branded Barclaycard charges into Asia (22 Mar)