Say hello to the FIFA World Cup Facebook match planner

Visa, which is a partner to FIFA, has launched the Visa Match Planner, a social media application that allows users to create customizable, dynamic FIFA World Cup viewing schedules to share with friends via social networking channels such as Facebook (www.visagofans.com).

The app is the latest extension of Visa's first-ever global FIFA-themed marketing campaign, Go Fans, which also includes print, television and out-of-home advertising, host market merchant activation programs and usage promotions.

The Visa Match Planner will be available in English, Japanese, Spanish and Portuguese, and will be customized for each of the 32 qualified countries. In addition to building a customized FIFA World Cup match viewing schedule, the application also lets users organize match viewing parties, chat with friends, track scores and rankings, and obtain exclusive offers from merchants such as the 'FIFA Official Store' on FIFA.com.

"Football fans are undeniably passionate about the FIFA World Cup and the teams they follow and social media provides a unique platform to help them express their views and connect with friends from around the world," said Uttam Nayak, country manager, South Asia, Visa.

"Through dynamic social media extensions of the Go Fans campaign, like the Visa Match Planner, Visa is able to strengthen our connection to the FIFA World Cup and enhance every fan’s World Cup experience with exciting content."

First debuted in Latin America in 2009 and later introduced globally in February 2010, the Go Fans campaign aims to celebrate the common love that all fans have for football with creative executions, featuring the colours of the national flags of each of the 32 qualified countries.

According to estimates, currently, more than 90 markets throughout the world are activating Visa FIFA-themed marketing programs with more than 500 financial institutions and merchants via advertising, customized promotions and the development of marketing collateral (POS, signage and direct mail).