The 49ers Enterprises investment group have taken control of Rangers – but the American football giants will also have to fork out for the 2026 World Cup
19:19, 28 Jun 2025Updated 19:25, 28 Jun 2025
San Francisco owner Jed York
Rangers fans are dreaming of a glorious future under the banner of the 49ers Enterprises investment group – but the Ibrox club aren’t all they’re spending their money on.
New Ibrox chairman Andrew Cavenagh has pledged to immediately inject £20million into the football department to help Russell Martin shape his squad ahead of the new season.
Lyall Cameron has joined Gers from Dundee while full back Max Aarons has completed a loan switch from Bournemouth.
And more are expected to follow with Leicester City defender Conor Coady in talks over a move north of the border while the likes of Dor Turgeman and Matija Frigan have been heavily linked.
After years of turmoil, the Light Blues now look to be in good hands on the financial side of things, with health tycoon Cavenagh and vice chairman Paraag Marathe now working alongside CEO Patrick Stewart.
49ers Enterprises – who are the investment arm of the famed American Football (NFL) team San Francisco 49ers – also own Leeds United, and are set to splash the cash even further this summer to ensure the Yorkshire team enjoy a successful season back in the Premier League.
But reports across the pond also now claim that 49ers chiefs could spent up to $30million (£21.9million) to host six matches at next year’s FIFA World Cup.
The 49ers will open their doors for six matches at the Levi’s Stadium in Santa, Clara, California as the biggest show in town hits North America.
Yardbarker state that hosting those games will cost the city $50million (£36.4million) and that 49ers will not be able to use taxpayer money to pay the bill.
Levi’s Stadium(Image: Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
They add that in turn, FIFA will contribute $13million (£9.4million) of the overall figure and with the state of California coughing up $7- 8.5 million (£5-6million), the 49ers will have to front the rest of the bill, a total of around $30m (£22m).
On top of that, the mega franchise are also in the midst of renovating Levi’s Stadium ahead of the finals at reported cost of $200 million (£145.7million).
As well as the World Cup, the Calafornia team will also host the Superbowl on February 8, 2026.
It is the first time the Levi’s Stadium has hosted the world famous event since 2015 and only the third time the sporting landmark has ever been held in the San Francisco Bay Area.
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