Visa Becomes an Exclusive FIFA Partner

Visa Becomes an Exclusive FIFA Partner

April 10, 2006

Groundbreaking New Global Partnership Links World's Leading Payment Brand and World's Leading Sport Through 2014

    SAN FRANCISCO and LONDON, April 10 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/
-- Visa International and FIFA (Federation Internationale
de Football Association) today announced a milestone
agreement in which Visa will become a FIFA Partner with
global rights to a broad range of FIFA activities including
the FIFA World Cup(TM) and the FIFA Women's World Cup.  This
new partnership, with unparalleled access to FIFA properties
worldwide, links the world's leading payment brand, Visa,
and the world's leading sport, football, in a unique and
groundbreaking relationship that will benefit fans
worldwide.

    Visa's commitment will begin in January 2007 and will
run through 2014 in the Financial Services product
category.  As one of six FIFA Partners, Visa will enjoy a
higher level of association with FIFA than previous
category sponsors and will enjoy rights to a broader range
of FIFA activities including exclusive marketing assets,
competitions, special events and development programs. 
Visa and FIFA will work together on a global basis to
create exclusive Visa payment programs around these FIFA
activities.

    "As only Visa can, we will work with our extensive
network of 20,000 member financial institutions to convey
the zeal and excitement of football to hundreds of millions
of Visa cardholders worldwide," said Visa International
president and CEO Christopher Rodrigues.  "This
partnership will allow us to bring our cardholders programs
that touch the very core of their passion for the game both
globally and locally.  The FIFA Partnership truly delivers
on Visa's strategy of associating with the world's best
brands and complements our strong global brand
position."

    As the world leader in payment services and with
acceptance in 24 million locations, Visa is uniquely
qualified to extend the benefits of this partnership to
millions of cardholders and fans worldwide.  This
partnership builds on the highly successful marketing
programs with global properties including the Olympic
Games/Paralympic Games, Disney and Rugby World Cup.  As the
top property in football, FIFA, and the FIFA World Cup(TM)
and the FIFA Women's World Cup remain a most sought-after
prize.  

    Over the eight-year period, Visa will promote a number
of FIFA events and competitions including the FIFA
Confederations Cup, the FIFA Club World Cup, the FIFA U-20
World Cup, the FIFA Interactive World Cup, the FIFA Beach
Soccer World Cup, the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup, and the
FIFA Futsal World Cup.  Visa will also be working with FIFA
to explore the possibility of developing and promoting
visually impaired football, drawing upon Visa's
long-standing involvement with Paralympic sport.

    FIFA's commercial partnership strategy is designed to
enhance the development of the sport across the world and
through all walks of life.  A FIFA Partner enjoys the
highest level of association with FIFA, by far eclipsing
basic event sponsoring, and comprising rights to all FIFA
events, exclusive marketing assets, and an affiliation with
the governing body's special events and development
initiatives.  Visa becomes one of six global organizations
that will comprise FIFA's top tier of partners.

    Note to Editors:

    About Visa    

    Visa connects cardholders, merchants and financial
institutions through the world's largest electronic
payments network.  Visa products allow buyers and sellers
to conduct commerce with ease and confidence in both the
physical and virtual worlds.  As an association owned by
more than 20,000 member financial institutions, Visa is
committed to the sustained growth of electronic payment
systems to support the needs of all stakeholders and to
drive economic growth.  For more information, visit
http://www.corporate.visa.com .

    For more information, please contact:

     Michael Sherman
     Visa International
     Tel:   [phone]
     Email: [e-mail]

SOURCE  Visa International