Fifa has agreed in principle to increase the prize money and participation fees for the 2026 World Cup, responding to concerns from national associations that the high costs of competing in the United States could lead to financial losses. The enhanced funding is expected to be approved at a meeting of the Fifa Council in Vancouver later this week.
The world football governing body had announced a record $727m (£539m) prize fund last December, with each of the 48 competing teams receiving a minimum of $10.5m and the winners taking home $50m. However, after discussions with several national football associations in recent weeks, Fifa will increase those amounts. Development funding for all 211 member associations will also rise beyond the projected $2.7bn for the next four-year cycle.
Fifa confirmed the discussions in a statement, noting that the 2026 World Cup will be groundbreaking in its financial contribution to global football. Fifa is projecting revenues of $13bn in the current four-year cycle, with $9bn from the tournament alone. The organisation’s 2025 annual report indicated that $11.67bn of revenues would be redistributed, a figure now expected to increase further.
Many larger European associations, including the English FA, are understood to have lobbied Fifa for higher prize money, citing concerns about losing money even after a successful tournament. Under the initial plan, merit payments increased incrementally, with the biggest jumps reserved for semi-finalists and finalists. Additional worries included the uneven tax burden across US states, as Fifa was unable to secure tax exemptions for competing teams, leading to varying rates from 0% in Florida to 13.3% in California.
Sources involved in the discussions praised Fifa for listening to the concerns. The enhanced prize fund and development payments are subject to final approval at the Fifa Council meeting, with further details expected in due course.
