2026 World Cup winners to get $50m as FIFA agrees 50% rise in prize money

The winners of the 2026 World Cup will receive $50 million in prize money as world football’s governing body FIFA agreed a record $727 million financial contribution to the tournament.

FIFA announced this in a statement on Wednesday.

The total World Cup prize fund of $655 million represents an increase of 50 per cent from the $440 million distributed to teams taking part in the last tournament in Qatar in 2022.

The 2026 World Cup – to be held in the United States, Mexico, and Canada from June 11 to July 19 – will be the first to feature 48 teams, a 50 per cent increase from the 32 teams last time.

The Argentine Football Association received $42 million in prize money after Lionel Messi inspired them to glory three years ago, when they won on penalties in the final against France.

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France received $30 million for their run to the final.

This time, the beaten finalists will pocket $33 million, with the third-place finishers collecting $29 million and the other defeated semi-finalists getting $27 million.

Teams eliminated in the group phase will receive $9 million, while all 48 participating nations will get an additional $1.5 million to cover preparation costs.

“The FIFA World Cup 2026 will also be groundbreaking in terms of its financial contribution to the global football community,” FIFA President Gianni Infantino said.

FIFA Council also confirmed that the 2028 Women’s Club World Cup will be held from January 5 to January 30.

The Star