Frustration is mounting across the global football community as FIFA continues to delay the distribution of a substantial £185 million solidarity fund promised to clubs that did not participate in last summer's Club World Cup. More than seven months after the tournament's conclusion, there is still no clear timeline for when these crucial payments will be made, leaving many clubs in precarious financial positions.
The Promise of Solidarity
The solidarity payments were designed to ensure that a portion of the Club World Cup's substantial revenue would be distributed throughout the football pyramid, benefiting clubs beyond those competing in the prestigious tournament. If shared equally among all top-flight clubs worldwide, each would receive approximately £50,000. However, FIFA has yet to determine how this significant sum will be allocated among the six continental confederations.
Growing Impatience Among Smaller Clubs
While the £740 million prize money for participating clubs has reportedly been distributed—with champions Chelsea earning approximately £84 million—the solidarity payments remain in limbo. For clubs in smaller leagues with limited financial resources, this delay is particularly painful.
"In environments where domestic television rights deals are increasingly precarious, and in certain cases nonexistent, a five-figure windfall has the potential to be a lifeline," explained an executive from one of Europe's smaller leagues who spoke to The Guardian on condition of anonymity.
The executive revealed that despite repeated inquiries, clubs have received no clear answers about when payments might arrive. This sentiment is echoed by numerous clubs across multiple continents, all painting a similar picture of uncertainty and frustration.
Complex Distribution Challenges
One of the primary obstacles appears to be the lack of an agreed-upon formula for dividing the £185 million between the six confederations, which were represented at the Club World Cup to wildly varying degrees. In practice, this means clubs are highly unlikely to receive identical amounts, adding complexity to the distribution process.
Additionally, most confederations lack established mechanisms for distributing such solidarity payments. UEFA represents an exception, having experience with handing out funds to clubs that fail to qualify for European competitions, and is likely to employ a similar formula once final amounts are determined.
Communication Breakdown
The Union of European Clubs (UEC), representing more than 140 non-elite clubs across Europe, reports that none of its members have received any information about potential payment timelines.
"UEC as an organisation has not heard anything and no member clubs we have consulted with have heard anything either," a source from the organization confirmed, highlighting the widespread communication vacuum surrounding the issue.
There is some sympathy for FIFA's position in certain quarters, acknowledging the political sensitivity and complexity of creating a fair distribution system that satisfies all stakeholders. However, this understanding is wearing thin as the delay extends beyond reasonable expectations.
Last-Minute Funding Complications
The delayed distribution process may be partly attributed to the last-minute nature of FIFA's funding arrangements for the Club World Cup. The prize money and solidarity pots were only agreed upon in March 2025, a mere three months before the tournament commenced.
This followed December 2024's £787 million agreement with Saudi-backed streaming platform Dazn to broadcast all competition matches free of charge. The compressed timeline for securing these financial arrangements appears to have created subsequent delays in the distribution phase.
No Suggestion of Non-Payment
While frustration grows, there is no suggestion that FIFA intends to withhold the promised funds entirely. The organization has been in dialogue for several months with the powerful European Football Clubs body, which negotiated the agreement reserving approximately 13% of Club World Cup revenue for solidarity payments.
However, FIFA is believed to have postponed meetings on the topic on multiple occasions, contributing to the perception that the organization is dragging its feet on reaching a final resolution.
As clubs worldwide await clarity, the delay serves as a stark reminder of the financial disparities within global football and the importance of timely support for clubs operating outside the sport's elite circles.
