U.S. Soccer Extends Partnership with Visa

Auckland, New Zealand — U.S. Soccer has announced an extension of its partnership with Visa for the next five years, just ahead of the Women’s World Cup.

Under the new agreement, Visa has committed to allocating 50% of its investment towards programs dedicated to the U.S. women’s national team and women’s soccer initiatives.

Visa’s involvement in the SheBelieves Cup, an international tournament held in the United States annually, is secured through this deal. As the presenting sponsor of the tournament, the financial services company continues its unwavering support to drive women’s soccer.

Mary Ann Reilly, head of North America marketing for Visa, expressed that this partnership is strongly aligned with their focus on both sports and gender equality. She believes it is crucial to ensure that women truly receive the recognition they deserve.

In addition to the Women’s World Cup, which is currently being co-hosted by New Zealand and Australia, the United States is also gearing up to host the 2026 men’s World Cup alongside Mexico and Canada.

Reilly emphasized the potential of soccer in the U.S., stating that compared to other countries, it has not yet reached its pinnacle. Nevertheless, she sees this as a remarkable opportunity for U.S. soccer to grow. As a mother whose daughter was involved in competitive soccer, she is personally invested in the game’s success. Thus, she expresses great excitement in contributing to bringing the World Cup to the U.S. and North America as a whole.

As part of their commitment to supporting women’s empowerment, Visa has established a grant fund of $500,000. Whenever a U.S. player receives the Player of the Match award at the Women’s World Cup, a grant will be awarded to small businesses owned by women in the athlete’s hometown or market.

Beyond the tournament itself, Visa is also a global partner of the Women’s World Cup. The sponsorship encompasses fan experiences during U.S. Soccer matches as well as collaborations with women-owned companies.

Visa not only serves as the presenting sponsor but also sponsors the SheBelieves Cup MVP award. As part of this sponsorship, the company has pledged a $25,000 grant to a women-owned business on behalf of the winning player.