Groundbreaking new global partnership links world’s leading payment brand and world’s leading sport through to 2014.

Visa International and FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association) today announced a milestone agreement in which Visa will become a FIFA Partner with global rights to a broad range of FIFA activities including the FIFA World Cup™ and the FIFA Women’s World Cup.  This new partnership, with unparalleled access to FIFA properties worldwide, links the world’s leading payment brand, Visa, and the world’s leading sport, football, in a unique and groundbreaking relationship that will benefit fans worldwide.

Visa’s commitment will begin in January 2007 and will run through 2014 in the Financial Services product category.  As one of six FIFA Partners, Visa will enjoy a higher level of association with FIFA than previous category sponsors and will enjoy rights to a broader range of FIFA activities including exclusive marketing assets, competitions, special events and development programs.  Visa and FIFA will work together on a global basis to create exclusive Visa payment programs around these FIFA activities.

“As only Visa can, we will work with our extensive network of 20,000 member financial institutions to convey the zeal and excitement of football to hundreds of millions of Visa cardholders worldwide,”  said Visa International president and CEO Christopher Rodrigues.  “This partnership will allow us to bring our cardholders programs that touch the very core of their passion for the game both globally and locally.  The FIFA Partnership truly delivers on Visa’s strategy of associating with the world’s best brands and complements our strong global brand position.”

As the world leader in payment services and with acceptance in 24 million locations, Visa is uniquely qualified to extend the benefits of this partnership to millions of cardholders and fans worldwide.  This partnership builds on the highly successful marketing programs with global properties including the Olympic Games/Paralympic Games, Disney and Rugby World Cup.  As the top property in football, FIFA, and the FIFA World Cup™ and the FIFA Women’s World Cup remain a most sought-after prize.

Over the eight-year period, Visa will promote a number of FIFA events and competitions including the FIFA Confederations Cup, the FIFA Club World Cup, the FIFA U-20 World Cup, the FIFA Interactive World Cup, the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup, the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, and the FIFA Futsal World Cup.  Visa will also be working with FIFA to explore the possibility of developing and promoting visually impaired football, drawing upon Visa’s long-standing involvement with Paralympic sport.

FIFA’s commercial partnership strategy is designed to enhance the development of the sport across the world and through all walks of life.  A FIFA Partner enjoys the highest level of association with FIFA, by far eclipsing basic event sponsoring, and comprising rights to all FIFA events, exclusive marketing assets, and an affiliation with the governing body’s special events and development initiatives.  Visa becomes one of six global organizations that will comprise FIFA’s top tier of partners.

Contact:  Roz Barder, Visa Europe, Tel: +44 (0)20 7795 5336 at barderr@visa.com
Sara Cruz or Rachel Thomas, Eloqui PR, Tel: +44 (0)20 7323 9860 scruz@eloquipr.co.uk / rthomas@eloquipr.co.u