Zürich, 7 June 2001 - Only a few days after beginning operations, FIFA through its FIFA Marketing AG can already claim its first success stories - contracts have been signed with an additional three sponsors, Avaya (USA), Toshiba (Japan), and NTT (Japan), for the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan™.

"The fact that FIFA Marketing AG, set up as a precautionary measure by FIFA at the start of April, has already been able to successfully conclude these negotiations in such a short period of time speaks volumes for the quality of the staff, and proves that FIFA was correct to assume full control of all marketing matters" explained FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter, in Tokyo. "The commitment of these prominent companies further underlines the attraction of the FIFA World Cup™ as the world's premier sporting event."

All three companies operate in the Information Technology (IT) area. The American company Avaya is a global leader in the new area of Corporate Networking Solutions (converged voice and data networks). Toshiba, the renowned Japanese company, will lend its wealth of experience and knowledge in the area of Computer Hardware, while another Japanese company, NTT, will provide their valuable services in the area of Telecommunications in Japan, in much the same way as Korea Telecom in South Korea.

FIFA has now signed contracts with a total of 13 sponsors for the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan™, and can have a maximum of 15 official sponsors on board.

Enquiries to be addressed to:
FIFA Media Office
Tel: +41-1/254 9800
Fax: +41-1/384 9696

FIFA Communications Division
Zürich, 7 June 2001