Fifa has agreed in principle to increase prize money and participation fees for the 2026 World Cup, responding to concerns from national associations about high costs in the United States. The enhanced funding will be approved at a Fifa Council meeting in Vancouver this week.
The governing body initially set a record prize fund of $727m in December, with each of the 48 teams receiving at least $10.5m and winners getting $50m. However, after discussions with several associations, the amounts will be raised further. Development funding for all 211 member associations will also increase beyond the projected $2.7bn for the next four-year cycle.
Fifa projects revenues of $13bn in the current cycle, with $9bn from the World Cup alone. Its strong financial position allows for higher payouts. The 2025 annual report stated $11.67bn would be redistributed for global football development, a 20% rise, and this figure will now increase.
Many European associations, including the English FA, petitioned Fifa over concerns they would lose money due to travel, operations, and tax costs in the US. Under the initial plan, merit payments rose incrementally, with the biggest leaps for semi-finalists and finalists. Associations claimed they would lose money unless they reached the last four.
Tax burdens vary significantly across host cities, with no state tax in Florida but rates of 10.75% in New Jersey and 13.3% in California. Fifa was unable to negotiate tax exemptions for qualifiers as in previous tournaments.
