FNB partners with Visa as FIFA World Cup 2026 sponsors

FNB and Visa have announced a joint sponsorship of the 2026 FIFA World Cup taking place next year in Canada, Mexico and the United States.

To launch the collaboration, both companies have launched a campaign called “It starts here”, created to connect communities and fans through FNB and Visa’s cutting-edge payment technologies and innovations, according to a media statement.

It will include a competition to offer customers a chance to win an all-inclusive trip to attend the FIFA World Cup live in North America, along with exclusive tournament-branded merchandise.

Faye Mfikwe, Chief Marketing Officer at FNB says its partnership with Visa as it heads into the 2026 FIFA World Cup is more than a sponsorship: “it’s a celebration of possibility, progress, and national pride.”

“It gives us great pleasure to be the first bank to not only bring the 2026 FIFA World Cup to South Africans, but to also take 3 very lucky winners to the World Cup for a memorable life experience. We are delighted about this partnership and the opportunity to demonstrate our commitment to delivering superior experiences and opportunities for our customers,” says Mfikwe.

Zeyad Davids, Head of Marketing for Visa, Sub-Saharan Africa says few events rival the World Cup when it comes to igniting passion, unity, and possibility across the globe.

“We’re not just enabling transactions, we’re enabling connection. From innovative payment journeys to immersive fan experiences, our goal is to make every moment feel personal, seamless and full of meaning. Together, we’re ensuring that the spirit of the tournament resonates far beyond the stadium, right into the hearts of local communities,” says Davids.

The bank says it made history as the first corporate to invest significantly in South African football over two decades ago, which played a pivotal role in the 2010 FIFA World Cup, and has continued its support through subsequent tournaments.

“As a proudly South African brand involved in major nation-building initiatives, we see the 2026 FIFA World Cup as a powerful opportunity to live our legacy of ‘help’, ‘hope’ and ‘togetherness’. We remain committed to contributing to a global movement that uses soccer to create a better future for all,” concludes Mfikwe.