Official FIFA World Cup Web Site Launches As Soccer Fans Anticipate December 1 Final Draw

Business Wire, Nov 28, 2001

Entertainment

Fans will find The Budweiser Challenge -- The Official FIFA World Cup(TM) Pick and Win Game in this section. The game provides a variety of ways to play -- either through a private or public group. Private groups give players the ability to track their predictions and results against other group members, including co-workers, friends, or family. Public groups provide players the opportunity to enter their picks against other fans who share an affinity for one of the 32 teams represented in the 2002 FIFA World Cup(TM), such as "Fans of Japan" or "Fans of France." Winners are determined by the leaders following each of the two rounds. The Entertainment area also gives die-hard soccer fans a chance to test their FIFA World Cup(TM) knowledge through an interactive trivia game. Other content includes the ability to discover the FIFA World Cup(TM) Official Mascots in the Mascot Zone, listen to the official FIFA World Cup(TM) song, and download computer screen-savers and "wallpaper" of past FIFA World Cup(TM) matches.

Destination Asia

For fans traveling to Asia for the 2002 FIFA World Cup(TM), the official site includes information on host cities, venues, ticketing, hospitality, local organizing committee contacts, as well as stadium photos, locations and capacities.

About the Yahoo!-FIFA Relationship

In September 2001, Yahoo! and FIFA (Federation Internationale de Football Association), the world governing body of soccer, entered into an exclusive, multi-year, global relationship. Through the agreement, FIFA and Yahoo! will jointly produce, market, and commercially operate the official Web site of the FIFA World Cup(TM) (http://www.FIFAworldcup.com ). At the same time, Yahoo! has become one of 16 Official FIFA Partners worldwide. The deal includes the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan(TM) (May 31 - June 30) and the 2006 FIFA World Cup(TM) in Germany.

Yahoo! will use its blue-chip expertise in the field to market and promote the sponsorship, advertising and promotional opportunities available on the official site, providing companies globally, including the Official FIFA Partners, the ability to reach millions of Internet consumers on a global or regional basis. Advertisers on FIFAworldcup.com will also have the opportunity to extend their marketing message to Yahoo!'s global network, which reaches more than 218 million unique visitors every month.

Considered the biggest global sports event, the month-long 1998 FIFA World Cup(TM) in France drew a cumulative television audience of more than 33 billion viewers for its 64 matches. The 1998 FIFA World Cup(TM) Final between France and Brazil was viewed by one billion people, far exceeding the nearly 140 million viewers of the NFL Super Bowl each year.

About Yahoo!

Yahoo! Inc. is a leading global Internet communications, commerce and media company that offers a comprehensive branded network of services to more than 218 million individuals each month worldwide. As the first online navigational guide to the Web, www.yahoo.com is the leading guide in terms of traffic, advertising, household and business user reach. Yahoo! is the No. 1 Internet brand globally and reaches the largest audience worldwide. The company also provides online business and enterprise services designed to enhance the productivity and Web presence of Yahoo!'s clients. These services include Corporate Yahoo!, a popular customized enterprise portal solution; audio and video streaming; store hosting and management; and Web site tools and services. The company's global Web network includes 24 World properties. Headquartered in Sunnyvale, Calif., Yahoo! has offices in Europe, Asia, Latin America, Australia, Canada and the United States.