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E81: Score! Soccer's Impact on Brands & Consumers

Research @ Citi Podcast  •  Podcast  •  June 10, 2026
Research

KEY TAKEAWAYS

  • The expanded 2026 World Cup in North America unlocks significant consumer spending and sports marketing opportunities across multiple industries driven by its unparalleled global viewership and engagement
  • Strategically, this mega-event offers businesses a prime brand visibility platform, influencing purchasing behavior in sportswear, food and beverages and hospitality sectors
  • To maximize impact companies should leverage AI Search Optimization strategies for event-related content understand market trends, and foster crucial local partnerships

Elise Badoy, Citi's Head of UK, Europe, Middle East and Africa Equity Research, joins Monique Pollard, Head of European Retail, Internet and Brands Research, and Filippo Falorni, who covers U.S. Beverages and Household Products & Personal Care, to discuss how the summer of soccer will impact various sectors in the global economy. What's the consumer reach of the event, what are the opportunities for brands and retailers, and how could online gaming benefit?

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Elise Badoy is a Managing Director and Head of Equity Research in EMEA. Elise joined Citi in February 2010 and is a member of the Global Research Executive Committee. Prior to Citi, Elise worked at Goldman Sachs from 1999 to 2009, initially on the buy-side at GSAM and from 2001 in GS's Global Investment Research division covering the Consumer Staples sector. Prior to joining Goldman Sachs, she worked at Daiwa Securities in Equity Capital Markets and at ING Barings in Investment Banking.

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Monique Pollard is a Director at Citi Research and Head of the European Retail, Internet and Brands team covering Sporting Goods, General Retail, Ecommerce, Food Retail, Online Food Delivery and Online Gaming. She is based in the London office. Prior to joining Citi in 2017, Monique worked at Goldman Sachs from 2011 to 2017 as a Vice President in research, covering Travel & Leisure.

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Filippo Falorni is the U.S. Beverages, Household Products & Personal Care (HPC) analyst at Citi. Prior to joining Citi in January 2023, Filippo spent six years at Morgan Stanley and Royal Bank of Canada covering the Consumer Staples sector, including Beverages, Food, HPC, and Tobacco. Prior to that, he covered the Diversified Industrial sector at Susquehanna International Group for two years. He started his career at Ernst & Young.

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