ZURICH — FIFA revealed on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, a historic prize money structure for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with the winners set to receive $50 million—a substantial increase from previous editions. The total prize fund will reach $655 million, marking nearly a 50% rise from the $440 million distributed at the 2022 Qatar World Cup.
The announcement, made ahead of the tournament co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico from June 11 to July 19, 2026, reflects the expanded format featuring 48 teams—up from 32 in prior editions. This growth aims to enhance global participation and inclusivity, with the event spanning 104 matches across 16 venues in three nations.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino highlighted the increased investment as part of efforts to support member associations and reward performance. "The expanded World Cup will be the biggest and most inclusive ever, and this record prize money underscores our commitment to developing football worldwide," Infantino stated in the release.
Under the new breakdown:
- Winners: $50 million
- Runners-up: $33 million
- Third place: $29 million
- Fourth place: $27 million
Teams eliminated in earlier stages will also benefit significantly. Quarter-finalists are expected to receive around $20-25 million (exact figures pending full allocation details), while group-stage exits guarantee $9 million per team. Additionally, all 48 qualified nations will receive $1.5 million each for preparation costs, totaling $72 million in upfront support.
This structure represents a marked escalation from 2022, where champions Argentina earned $42 million, runners-up France $30 million, third-placed Croatia $27 million, and fourth-placed Morocco $25 million. Group-stage participants in Qatar received $9 million each, similar to the base for 2026, but without the added preparation allowance.
The prize escalation aligns with FIFA's projected revenues exceeding $11 billion for the 2023-2026 cycle, driven by broadcasting rights, sponsorships, and hospitality packages for the expanded tournament. Commercial partnerships and ticket sales are anticipated to surge, given the North American market and increased matches.
FIFA emphasized that the funds will aid national associations in player development, infrastructure, and grassroots programs. The organization has committed to distributing over 90% of its revenues back to football, with the 2026 prizes forming a key part.
The expanded format introduces a new round of 32 playoff after the group stage, providing more opportunities for underdog nations. Qualification pathways have broadened, particularly for confederations like Africa (9 slots plus potential playoff), Asia (8), and CONCACAF (6 direct plus hosts).
Critics, including some supporter groups, have previously raised concerns over commercialization, but FIFA maintains the growth benefits the global game. The prize increase is seen as incentivizing competitive balance in an era of financial disparities between top clubs and national teams.
As hosts, the United States, Canada, and Mexico receive automatic qualification and additional organizational funding. The tournament's scale—expected to attract over 5 billion viewers cumulatively—positions it as a landmark event.
FIFA's financial transparency includes independent audits, with prize allocations based on performance to reward excellence. The announcement precedes the full tournament regulations and further details on club compensation for player release, expected in early 2026.
This record payout underscores the World Cup's status as the pinnacle of international football, with economic impacts rippling through qualified nations' federations.
