FIFA Increases World Cup Prize Money by 50% for 2026 Tournament
FIFA has announced a 50% increase in the prize money for teams participating in next year's World Cup, which will be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
This increase is part of a record financial distribution totaling $727 million (£544.8 million) that the governing body’s council has approved for the tournament.
The winners of the World Cup will receive $50 million (£37.4 million), while the runners-up will be awarded $33 million (£24.7 million). Teams that do not advance beyond the group stage will still receive $9 million (£6.7 million).
Additionally, each qualified team will receive $1.5 million (£1.1 million) to assist with preparation costs, ensuring that all participating member associations are guaranteed a minimum of $10.5 million (£7.8 million).
FIFA President Gianni Infantino stated that these financial contributions demonstrate the World Cup's groundbreaking impact on the global football community.
This announcement follows FIFA's introduction of a limited number of £45 tickets for all 104 matches in response to criticism regarding the tournament's pricing structure.
The partial concession was welcomed by UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who also urged FIFA to take further steps to make tickets more affordable.
Furthermore, FIFA's council has approved the creation of a post-conflict recovery fund, aligning with its goal of promoting football's unifying values. This decision follows President Infantino's announcement at the Sharm El-Sheikh Summit for Peace on October 13, 2025, regarding a support mechanism for regions affected by conflict.
This financial instrument will be open to third-party contributions and will be subject to strict oversight, complementing existing initiatives under the FIFA Forward Programme and other FIFA projects.