FIFA has announced that the champions of the 2026 FIFA World Cup will receive a record $50 million in prize money, marking a significant increase from previous editions of football’s flagship tournament.
The payout represents a notable rise from the $42 million awarded to Argentina after their 2022 victory and the $38 million received by France in 2018.
Despite the increase, the amount remains less than half of the prize offered at the recently expanded Club World Cup, which distributed $1 billion in total, with the winning team, Chelsea, pocketing $125 million.
FIFA confirmed that the total prize fund for the 2026 World Cup set to be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, will be $655 million, representing a 50 per cent increase over the Qatar 2022 edition.
The organisation explained that the higher Club World Cup prizes reflect the substantial costs borne by clubs, particularly in player wages, whereas national teams face comparatively lower expenses.
FIFA also highlighted that World Cup revenues support global football development programmes.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino described the 2026 tournament as “groundbreaking in terms of its financial contribution to the global football community,” emphasising the significance of the prize structure approved by FIFA’s council in Doha.
Under the new distribution plan, the runner-up will receive $33 million, while the third- and fourth-placed teams will earn $29 million and $27 million respectively.
All 48 participating teams are guaranteed at least $9 million, with an additional $1.5 million allocated to cover preparation costs.
In total, FIFA said $727 million will be distributed to the national football federations involved in the tournament, with each federation determining how the funds are shared at the national level.
For context, at the 2022 World Cup, France’s squad reportedly stood to earn bonuses of approximately $586,000 per player had they claimed the title, according to L’Equipe.
The 2026 World Cup, the first to feature 48 teams, promises to be the most financially generous edition in history, reflecting FIFA’s continued effort to expand football’s reach while rewarding national teams for their achievements on the global stage.
