FIFA is currently in talks with national football associations to enhance the prize money allocated to all 48 teams participating in the 2026 World Cup, stated the global governing body of the sport on Sunday. The proposal is scheduled for discussion and potential approval during the FIFA Council meeting on Tuesday preceding the 76th FIFA Congress in Vancouver.
Last December, FIFA had announced that the prize money for the upcoming World Cup would see a 50% increase compared to the previous edition, amounting to $655 million, following a landmark financial contribution of $727 million to the tournament. However, recent reports from FIFA to Reuters indicate that the prize money is poised for further augmentation, with the organization projected to exceed $11 billion in revenue during the current four-year cycle spanning from 2023 to 2026.
A spokesperson for FIFA confirmed ongoing dialogues with associations globally to boost available revenues, proposing an increment in financial support for all qualified teams participating in the FIFA World Cup 2026, alongside enhanced development funding accessible to all 211 member associations. The spokesperson also highlighted the groundbreaking financial impact anticipated for the 2026 World Cup, emphasizing FIFA’s robust financial position to advance the global football community through its FIFA Forward initiative.
The primary allocation from FIFA’s initial funding package for the North American tournament amounted to $655 million, with a significant portion designated for performance-based payments to the 48 competing nations. The prize breakdown revealed in FIFA’s December statement outlined that the champions would receive $50 million, the runners-up $33 million, and the 16 teams failing to progress past the initial group stage would secure $9 million each. Moreover, each qualifying nation would be granted $1.5 million to cover preparation expenses.
FIFA’s annual report for 2025 indicated that 93% of the total budgeted revenue had already been committed by the conclusion of 2025, largely attributed to the success of the inaugural 32-team Club World Cup held in the United States the previous year. The 2026 World Cup is slated to take place from June 11 to July 19 across the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
