FNB joins Visa as official sponsor of FIFA World Cup 2026™

First National Bank (FNB) has announced a landmark partnership with Visa as official sponsors of the FIFA World Cup 2026™. It is set to take place across Canada, Mexico and the United States from 11 June next year.

To mark the occasion, FNB and Visa have launched a joint campaign titled “It starts here”, aimed at bringing fans closer to the action.

As part of the campaign, South African customers stand a chance to win an all-expenses-paid trip to the FIFA World Cup™, along with exclusive branded merchandise.

“Our partnership with Visa as we head into the 2026 FIFA World Cup™ reflects our passion for making a lasting difference – not only for soccer fans, but for communities where talent and hope flourish,” said Faye Mfikwe, chief marketing officer at FNB. “This is more than a sponsorship; it’s a celebration of possibility, progress, and national pride.”

Opportunity of a lifetime

Mfikwe added that the bank is proud to be the first to offer this unique World Cup experience to South Africans. “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 three very lucky winners to the World Cup for a memorable life experience.”

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Visa, the official payments partner of the tournament, says the collaboration will ensure seamless, tech-enabled experiences for customers both on and off the field. “Few events rival the World Cup™ when it comes to igniting passion, unity, and possibility across the globe,” said Zeyad Davids, head of marketing for Visa, Sub-Saharan Africa.

“From innovative payment journeys to immersive fan experiences, our goal is to make every moment feel personal, seamless and full of meaning,” he said.

FNB’s involvement in South African football dates back more than 20 years, including its notable contribution to the 2010 FIFA World Cup™. The bank says this latest move builds on its legacy of national pride and impact. “We see the 2026 FIFA World Cup™ as a powerful opportunity to live our legacy of ‘help’, ‘hope’ and ‘togetherness’,” Mfikwe said.

As excitement builds ahead of the tournament, FNB and Visa say they hope to go beyond sponsorship by using the platform to foster connection, inspire communities, and support fans on their journey to the global stage.

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