VISA, the world’s leading digital payments company, announced the signing of Barcelona and Spain star Lamine Yamal as its ambassador for the 2026 World Cup, which will be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Yamal has been one of the most prominent and brightest football players of the past two years, and has quickly become a candidate for the Ballon d’Or despite not yet turning 18, thanks to his talent and significant influence with both Barcelona and the Spanish national team. The 2025 World Cup will be his first ever appearance at a global event, and he aspires to win it, just as he led Spain to victory in Euro 2024.
Mendes: Yamal is the most deserving of the 2025 Ballon d’Or
Regarding his contract with Visa, Yamal said, “Football is more than just a game; it’s fun and a way to connect with people around the world. I’m honored to partner with him to share this passion and inspire people through sport.”
VISA and its desire to delight football fans and harness the game to serve the community
VISA’s partnership with Lamine Yamal aims to capitalize on the momentum of the 2026 World Cup to delight football fans and continue its tireless work to harness football to serve and unite the community.
Andrea Fairchild, Senior Vice President of Global Sponsorship Strategy at Visa, said, “We work to partner with athletes and brands that share our vision of harnessing football to uplift and unite the community. With the World Cup approaching, and to honor the legacy of this sport and its fans, the partnership with Yamal is the right choice.”
VISA will offer its cardholders highly exclusive experiences after partnering with Yamal, such as meeting the Barcelona star face-to-face, receiving his signed merchandise, and more.
VISA is a Strategic Partner with FIFA
VISA is an Official Technology Partner of FIFA and seeks to harness the power of football to promote inclusivity and reach everyone around the world, from grassroots sports programs to global platforms.
Through innovative fan experiences, athlete partnerships, and exclusive cardholder benefits, VISA continues to redefine what’s possible for fans, players, and the future of the game.
With just one year to go until FIFA World Cup 26™, Visa is proud to announce Lamine Yamal—one of football’s brightest rising stars—as the official global ambassador for the tournament. More here https://t.co/PfgpAFHcd0
#FIFAWorldCup26 #WeAre26 #Football pic.twitter.com/aeAz6Qtly2— Visa Central & Eastern Europe,Middle East & Africa (@VisaCEMEA) June 12, 2025
As part of its strong support for football, and under the motto of supporting communities through the power of sport, VISA has strengthened its partnership with Street Soccer USA (SSUSA) to create six community soccer parks in San Francisco, Denver, Kansas City, New York, Nashville, and Atlanta.
These parks are not just playgrounds; they are designed to support and build stronger, more connected communities where people can connect, grow, and thrive.
More about VISA
VISA is a global leader in digital payments, facilitating transactions between consumers, merchants, financial institutions, and governments in more than 200 countries and territories.
VISA has long been involved in football, partnering with FIFA and other organizations, and in 2024, it renewed its two-year agreement with FIFA to remain the Official Payment Technology Partner of FIFA’s global activities, providing a seamless and secure shopping experience for passionate FIFA fans on-site.
Lamine Yamal is working on a major deal for Barcelona!
“One of VISA’s key objectives in its partnership with FIFA is to enrich the experience for both fans and athletes,” said Frank Cooper, Chief Marketing Officer at VISA. “The 2026 FIFA World Cup represents a unique opportunity for VISA to achieve this goal.”
