FIFA increases prize money for all 48 teams participating in 2026 World Cup

FIFA is in talks with national federations to increase the financial prize money awarded to all 48 teams participating in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, according to information sent by Reuters. The proposal is to be analyzed and approved at the FIFA Council meeting scheduled for today, ahead of the 76th FIFA Congress held in Vancouver. This initiative comes after, in December, FIFA already announced a 50% increase in the total prize money compared to the previous edition, to $655 million, supported by a record financial contribution of $727 million.

• Record revenue for 2023-2026 cycle

The world forum estimates that total revenue for the current four-year financial cycle (2023-2026) will exceed $11 billion, strengthening FIFA's position as one of the most powerful sports organizations in the world. According to representatives of the institution, the discussions aim not only to increase the amounts for qualified teams, but also to increase the development funds distributed to the 211 member associations through the FIFA Forward program. "The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be revolutionary in terms of its financial contribution to the global football community,” FIFA said, emphasizing that the organization is "in the strongest financial position in history.”

• Previously announced prize structure

According to the initial financial plan: the world champion was to receive $50 million; the runner-up, $33 million; the teams eliminated in the group stage were to receive $9 million each; each qualifying nation received $1.5 million for preparation costs. The bulk of the $655 million financial package was for performance-based payments.

• Expansion of tournament brings new financial opportunities

The 2026 edition will be the first World Cup to feature 48 participating teams, an expansion that significantly increases both commercial revenue and the competition's global exposure. The success of the first expanded edition of the FIFA Club World Cup, held in the United States, has contributed significantly to strengthening FIFA's budget, with the 2025 annual report indicating that 93% of the estimated revenue had already been contracted by the end of last year.

The 2026 World Cup will be held from 11 June to 19 July in the United States, Mexico and Canada, making it the largest edition ever staged.

The increase in prize money reflects both FIFA's accelerated commercial expansion and pressure from national federations for a more generous distribution of the revenue generated by the world's most important football tournament.