FIFA agrees substantial rise in prize money for 2026 World Cup

US President Donald Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino hold a 2026 FIFA World Cup final ticket in the Oval Office, in Washington, DC
US President Donald Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino hold a 2026 FIFA World Cup final ticket in the Oval Office, in Washington, DC Reuters / Jonathan Ernst

Prize money for next year's World ‍Cup will be 50% higher than the previous edition, with ​world governing body FIFA agreeing a record $727million financial contribution to the ‌tournament on Wednesday.

The biggest slice of ‌FIFA's funding package for the North American showpiece - $655million - will be performance-based payments to 48 participating nations⁠, with the champions taking $50million and the ‌runners-up $33million.

"The FIFA World Cup 2026 will ​also be groundbreaking in terms of its financial contribution ‍to the global football community," FIFA President Gianni Infantino said in a ‍statement.

The 16 ‌nations that fail to survive beyond the initial group phase will earn $9million, while in addition, each ⁠qualified nation is entitled to $1.5million to cover preparation costs.

FIFA's Council also confirmed festival-style youth tournaments for under-15s open to all member associations to commence in 2026, with a boys' event followed by a girls' competition in 2027.

"In recent years, FIFA has stepped up ⁠its efforts to boost youth ‌football," Infantino said. "This is a natural next step."

FIFA Council also confirmed that the 2028 Women's Club World Cup will be held from ⁠January 5th to January ​30th.

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