The champions of the FIFA World Cup 2026 will earn a historic $50 million prize, marking a significant increase in winnings for international football’s biggest tournament. FIFA confirmed the figure on Tuesday, noting that it surpasses the $42m awarded to Argentina in 2022 and the $38m earned by France in 2018.
Despite the increase, the World Cup winners’ payout remains less than half of the top prize offered at the recently expanded FIFA Club World Cup, where the champion could earn up to $125m.
Record Prize Fund for World Cup 2026
FIFA announced that the total prize pool for the 2026 World Cup—which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico—will reach $655m, representing a 50 percent rise compared to the 2022 edition in Qatar.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino described the financial package as “groundbreaking,” emphasizing that it will make a major contribution to football development worldwide. The prize structure was officially approved during a FIFA Council meeting in Doha.
World Cup 2026 Prize Money Breakdown
| Position | Prize Money |
|---|---|
| Winners | $50 million |
| Runners-up | $33 million |
| Third place | $29 million |
| Fourth place | $27 million |
| Group-stage exit (minimum) | $9 million |
| Preparation fund (all teams) | $1.5 million |
In total, $727m will be distributed to participating football federations across all stages of the tournament. The 2026 edition will feature 48 teams, the largest field in World Cup history.
Comparison With FIFA Club World Cup
By contrast, the FIFA Club World Cup, expanded from seven teams to 32 and staged earlier this year in the United States, had a total prize fund of $1 billion. The tournament was won by Chelsea, though it faced criticism from players’ unions and leagues due to scheduling concerns and uneven attendance.
FIFA has defended the disparity, explaining that clubs face far higher operating costs—particularly wages—than national teams, which influences how prize money is allocated.
Distribution Still Up to Federations
How the World Cup prize money will be shared with players remains at the discretion of national football federations. After the 2022 World Cup, French newspaper L’Equipe reported that France’s players would have received bonuses of around $586,000 each had they won the final. France ultimately lost to Argentina.
With record-breaking revenue and expanded participation, the World Cup 2026 is set to be not only the biggest tournament ever—but also the most lucrative in international football history.
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