Man Utd face £10m setback ahead of 2026 World Cup as Red Devils begin major summer rebuild
The timing of the 2026 World Cup in North America is apparently going to cause Manchester United to lose out on some £10 million ($13 million), giving them a significant financial headache ahead of next summer.
United’s preseason plan is in turmoil due to the global showpiece event, which will begin on June 11, 2026, just eighteen days after the Premier League season ends.
The Daily Mail claims that the Red Devils had wanted to go on another lucrative post-season tour, like to their recent profitable trips to Malaysia and Hong Kong.
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The club received a handsome £10 million windfall from the trip, which happened just after the season ended.
The club received a handsome £10 million windfall from the trip, which happened just after the season ended.
However, such plans have been shelved because the club won’t have enough time to travel, train, and recuperate before the World Cup begins on May 24.
Internally, the decision is already being characterised as a logistical nightmare that may have repercussions for fan involvement and finances. Summer trips are a vital source of income in addition to being fitness-related.
After losing out on European football, Old Trafford’s financial margins are tighter than ever, and United is eager to recover as much as they can.
For the past few weeks, the club’s commercial department has ran simulations to see if the World Cup could totally saturate American football enthusiasm.
The final is set for July 19 at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, which coincides with the start of United’s customary preseason travels.
Due to this, United is now debating whether to shift their focus to the Middle East, another area where the team has historically attracted sizable audiences and sponsorship interest.
According to reports, negotiations are taking on to see if a midseason friendly in Saudi Arabia can be arranged, which may result in a significant payout.
After three successive pre-season tours in the US as part of their £60 million ($78 million) annual contract with Snapdragon, there is a growing desire to return to Asia next summer.
Due to the performance clause in their record kit deal, United’s failure to qualify for the Champions League this season cost them almost £100 million ($130.5 million) in lost revenue, including a £10 million penalty paid to Adidas.
The commercial and operational teams are under more pressure to maximise revenue from every opportunity, including international fan trips, as a result of the financial duress.
Meetings and conversations are taking place in the boardroom, but things on the pitch are at last beginning to improve.
Amorim’s team has steadied, going four league games undefeated after a thrilling 2-2 draw with Nottingham Forest, after a rocky start that saw United win just two of their first seven games.
By making minor adjustments to his favoured 3-4-3 structure, the Portuguese manager has gradually shaped United into a more united, diligent team, and they are now finally enjoying the benefits.
The fact that the team is only two points behind second-place Manchester City despite being seventh in the standings is evidence of their growth.
“Ruben has a very distinct idea. In an interview with the club’s Inside Carrington podcast, Jason-Wilcox stated, “The idea is much more flexible than people give it credit for.”
“We’ve got to start with the end in mind and understand that the game model, how Manchester-United are, is really important.”
The jigsaw pieces must be pulled together and assembled. We would want to have everything in order so that we can see a very clear picture, but when you lose several football games, it becomes even more challenging because people start to doubt things.
However, the path of travel is quite apparent to myself, Ruben, Omar, and the ownership, and this is crucial.”
Next up comes a thrilling road match against Tottenham Hotspur, the same team that deprived United a trophy in the Europa League final the previous season. The red devil should be ready for a revenge this time.
For Amorim’s men, the goal is not only to get revenge but also to keep up the momentum in a campaign that has required perseverance.
They had a difficult start, but after an incredible October, they have finally come back to life. Before the international break arrives, the Red Devils will be keen to secure three more points and put up a weak title threat.
