FIFA expects record revenue from the 2026 World Cup. Some European associations are now demanding a larger share of this in view of travel costs.
As the “Times” and “The Athletic” report, several European associations have expressed their desire for higher prize money to FIFA through UEFA. The costs for the tournament – especially when traveling to the USA – can be very high. The British news agency PA had already reported on the concerns in February. According to reports, the current initiative came from the French association FFF.
The FIFA Council set the prize money for the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico at the end of 2025. DFB President Bernd Neuendorf is also a member of the committee. There is more money in almost every round of the 2026 World Cup than in Qatar 2022. The total prize money paid out increases by around 50 percent from 440 to 655 million US dollars – but there are also 50 percent more teams taking part. For the first time, 48 teams are playing; from 1998 to 2022 there was a mode with 32 teams.
| Reached round | 2022 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
World champion | 42,000,000 | 50,000,000 |
Vice world champion | 30,000,000 | 33,000,000 |
Third place | 27,000,000 | 29,000,000 |
Fourth place | 25,000,000 | 27,000,000 |
Quarterfinals | 17,000,000 | 19,000,000 |
Round of 16 | 13,000,000 | 15,000,000 |
Round of 16 | – | 11,000,000 |
Group stage | 9,000,000 | 9,000,000 |
Each association will receive at least $10.5 million
In addition to the prize money, FIFA pays each team $1.5 million for preparation. Together with the entry fee of $9 million, each team is entitled to at least $10.5 million for participation in the World Cup. FIFA also pays daily allowances for accommodation and travel. Some associations now fear that, depending on their performance, this may not be enough to cover the costs. UEFA and FIFA did not comment on the matter.
The costs for travel and accommodation could be high, especially for the teams that play in the USA. Another issue for associations is taxation, which can vary from state to state. There was a similar problem at the 2023 Women’s World Cup, when Australia and New Zealand had different tax costs. The DFB will be on the premises of the Wake Forest University reside in North Carolina.
This is where the DFB lives: Wake Forest University in North Carolina
Those who go far also have to pay their players higher bonuses. At the 2022 World Cup and the 2024 European Championship, the DFB promised each player 400,000 euros if they won the tournament – that alone is 10.4 million euros for 26 players.
FIFA expects $9 billion in revenue
The tournament should be an economic record for FIFA. The world association expects $9 billion from the World Cup, which means an increase of around 50 percent. Almost 4 billion of these are also spent on the World Cup – in addition to the prize money, FIFA has to pay the clubs money for sending players to the national teams, hiring workers, ensuring refereeing, producing TV images, renting stadiums or paying for training camps. Another $2.25 billion will go to the associations through a payout program, each of which will receive at least $3 million.
FIFA uses the remaining money to finance its other operations and tournaments. Association work is also becoming more expensive: It was recently announced that FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s income increased again. In addition, Infantino installed numerous new committees with positions for officials, which also cost money.
