FIFA has confirmed a substantial rise in the money distributed to teams taking part in the 2026 World Cup, which will be staged across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
FIFA has confirmed a substantial rise in the money distributed to teams taking part in the 2026 World Cup, which will be staged across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
The governing body said the total allocation linked to the tournament will reach a record $727m (£544.8m), representing a 50% jump on previous levels.
That figure was approved by FIFA’s council and forms the largest share of the organization’s financial distributions tied to the event.
According to the breakdown, the champions will earn $50m (£37.4m), while the finalists who fall short will collect $33m (£24.7m).
Teams eliminated at the first phase of the competition are set to receive $9m (£6.7m).
Beyond performance-based rewards, every qualified nation will also be given $1.5m (£1.1m) to help cover preparation expenses, guaranteeing a minimum return of $10.5m (£7.8m) for each participant.
The announcement arrives during ongoing debate over the affordability of attending matches at the expanded 104-game tournament.
Just one day earlier, FIFA revealed it would release a limited batch of £45 tickets for every fixture, following widespread backlash over its pricing approach.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino described the increased distributions as evidence the competition would deliver unprecedented financial benefits to football worldwide.
The organization has already projected record income of $13bn (£9.7bn) for the 2023–2026 cycle.
Supporter groups have questioned the balance between rising revenues and fan access, with the Football Supporters’ Association highlighting the scale of funds generated by the tournament.
Its chair, Tom Greatrex, urged FIFA to reconsider policies that could undermine the character of the World Cup, warning action was still possible.
In the UK, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer welcomed the limited ticket concession but encouraged further steps to reduce costs for fans.
New York City mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani also voiced concern, arguing that the reduced-price tickets cover too few seats and calling for measures such as ending dynamic pricing, limiting resale values, and reserving a portion of tickets for local supporters.
Alongside the prize money decision, FIFA’s council endorsed the creation of a new post-conflict recovery fund.
The body said the move aligns with its aim of using football to promote unity and follows an announcement made by Infantino at the Sharm El-Sheikh Summit for Peace in October 2025.
The fund is intended to support regions affected by conflict and will be open to contributions from outside organizations.
FIFA stated that strict supervision would apply to the mechanism.
It added that the initiative would complement existing programs, including FIFA Forward and other ongoing projects.
