FIFA has confirmed that Visa International has become the sixth FIFA Partner with worldwide rights to FIFA’s competitions from 2007 to 2014. This follows last week’s announcement
that MasterCard had agreed to discontinue its sponsorship.

Through this new relationship, Visa has access to FIFA competitions, special events and development programs worldwide, and becomes the sixth and final top tier FIFA Partner.

As a FIFA Partner, Visa will have a higher level of association with these and other properties than previous category sponsors have had in the past.  Visa will have rights to a broad range of activities including exclusive marketing assets, competitions, special events and development programs.  Visa and FIFA will work together globally to create exclusive Visa programs at a host of FIFA events.

“We look forward to activating our FIFA partnership. With Visa’s broad experience and successful sponsorship of major properties such as the Olympic Games and Rugby World Cup, we know firsthand how valuable a global sporting property can be in driving business.” said John Elkins, executive vice president at Visa International. “With this partnership, Visa will work with our network of over 20,000 Visa financial institutions to deliver incremental value to our cardholders and merchants.”

“I am pleased to have all our six FIFA Partners on board and that we can now focus our attention and energy towards ensuring the staging of world-class football competitions as well as to using the power of the sport to tackle some major social issues,” said FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter. “Visa has the requisite breadth and social commitment to support us in our endeavors and we look forward to a rewarding partnership.”

Visa’s first FIFA World Cup(tm) as a FIFA Partner will be the 2010 tournament in South Africa and Visa will develop a suite of programs to continue expanding merchant acceptance, building member bank relationships, and growing tourism in that country. “We’re tremendously excited about working with our partners in South Africa in the run-up to the 2010 FIFA World Cup,” said Elkins.  “South Africa is a key location for Visa and there is great potential for us to work together with FIFA to leave behind a positive legacy following the 2010 event. “

Over the eight-year period of its FIFA Partnership, Visa will be able to engage in the marketing of FIFA events and competitions such as the FIFA World Cup(tm), the FIFA Women’s World Cup, FIFA Confederations Cup, the FIFA Club World Cup, the FIFA U-20 World Cup, the FIFA U-17 World Cup, the FIFA Interactive World Cup, the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup, the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup and the FIFA Futsal World Cup.  Visa will also be working with FIFA to explore the possibility of fostering and promoting visually impaired football, drawing upon Visa’s long-standing involvement with Paralympic sports. 
Visa International won World’s Leading Credit Card for the ninth consecutive year at the World Travel Awards 2006.
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