MU suffers significant losses due to World Cup 2026

The early scheduling of the 2026 World Cup has forced Manchester United to cancel their summer tour plans, risking a £10 million revenue loss and financial difficulties for the "Red Devils."

Manchester United faces a challenging financial dilemma as their 2026 summer tour has been canceled due to a congested schedule ahead of the World Cup in North America. According to Daily Mail, the tournament starting on June 11, 2026, just 18 days after the Premier League ends, leaves Man Utd's management insufficient time to organize their usual tour.

Last summer, trips to Malaysia and Hong Kong generated an estimated £10 million profit for the "Red Devils." However, the same plan for next year must be shelved, causing the club to lose an important revenue stream amid tight finances. An insider described this as a "logistical nightmare" because all preparations for the new season have been disrupted.

Summer tours have been a "goldmine" for Man Utd, not only improving fitness but also generating huge revenue from ticket sales, sponsorships, and global brand promotion. Since the World Cup will be held in the US — where Man Utd traditionally holds annual tours under a £60 million per year deal with Snapdragon — the club is considering shifting focus to the Middle East.

Sources reveal that Man Utd has started negotiations to hold friendly matches in Saudi Arabia to partially compensate for the lost income. Additionally, they are also exploring a return to Asia, where a large fanbase and strong commercial appeal remain.

Man Utd’s financial situation was already strained after failing to qualify for the Champions League, losing around £100 million in potential revenue and having to pay an additional £10 million penalty to Adidas under their kit contract.

On the pitch, however, the team under coach Ruben Amorim is showing signs of improvement. After a shaky start, the "Red Devils" have gone unbeaten in four consecutive games and climbed to 8th place in the Premier League, just two points behind second-placed Manchester City.

This weekend, Man Utd will travel to Tottenham in what is seen as a "revenge" match following last season’s Europa League final defeat. But before focusing on victory, the club’s management must solve a difficult problem: how to balance the budget in a summer without tours and a World Cup that disrupts all commercial plans.

Related articles

MU achieves incredible results thanks to Amorim Man Utd is currently enjoying a rare period of full squad fitness under coach Ruben Amorim, a stark contrast to the injury-plagued era of Erik ten Hag. See more