FIFA has increased the total payout to teams competing in the 2026 World Cup to $871 million, making it the most lucrative edition in the tournament's history.
The decision was announced at the 36th FIFA Council meeting in Vancouver, Canada, as the body faced criticism over ticket prices and commercial partnership structures.
Under the new structure, each qualifying team will receive an increase in payouts of at least $2 million compared to last edition. This includes a $2.5 million preparation fund, up from $1.5 million for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, and a $10 million qualification payout, up from $9 million previously.
Each team is guaranteed at least $12.5 million, excluding additional bonuses based on performance throughout the tournament.
The distribution is intended to help cover the large costs incurred by teams such as travel, training camps and staff salaries. The move is seen as giving an advantage to countries that are not footballing superpowers, thus balancing the financial gap in the global ecosystem.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will also be the largest in history with 48 teams, up from 32 previously. The tournament will be held in the United States, Mexico and Canada starting June 11.
Several countries such as Cape Verde, Curacao, Jordan and Uzbekistan are expected to make their debuts, reflecting the expanded scale and inclusiveness of the tournament.
In addition, more than $16 million has been allocated to cover delegation costs and the distribution of team tickets, significantly increasing the total amount distributed to teams.
FIFA previously approved a total prize money of $727 million for the 2026 tournament, a 65% increase compared to the $440 million distributed at the 2022 edition in Qatar.
This aggressive increase in financial rewards reflects the commercial growth of global football, but at the same time raises questions about the balance between profit and fan access.
