FIFA is committed to ensuring that its member associations maximise the benefits of bidding for and hosting its Other World Cups, both for the continued global development of the game and the achievement of wider social goals and other benefits.
These benefits are usually referred to, in the context of major events, as the ‘legacy’ and this is defined as:
“The sustainable benefits generated for the host member association and country - well before, during and long after the event.”
Some of the benefits experienced by host countries of FIFA competitions include:
- A catalyst for new and improved facilities to support the development of the game at all levels
- Increased number of and higher quality football development programmes for both the elite game, talent identification and grassroots
- Increased cooperation and goodwill between the various stakeholders – the member association, the government and other bid stakeholders such as the bid host cities, commercial partners, the media and the community at large
- Increased civic pride and community empowerment as groups of stakeholders get to contribute to and support the bid, together with new skills and training for those involved in delivering the event
- Enhanced partnerships and greater commercial activity and investment from new sponsors, media, broadcasters and large corporations
- Help in breaking down social barriers to participation and high performance by both women and young people
- Using successful players as role models to encourage young and emerging players and to promote health and other social benefits
Some of the benefits experienced by previous hosts are described in a series of case studies.
While winning a bid is the ultimate goal, the bidding process can also have real value in its own right.
