FIFA is considering increasing prize money for all 48 teams participating in the 2026 World Cup, with discussions underway with national associations, football’s global governing body said Sunday, reports Reuters.
The proposal is expected to be placed for approval at Tuesday’s FIFA Council meeting ahead of the 76th FIFA Congress in Vancouver.
In December, FIFA announced prize money for the 2026 World Cup at $655 million, 50 percent higher than the previous edition, alongside a record $727 million financial contribution to the tournament.
However, FIFA told Reuters the prize fund is likely to increase further as the governing body is projected to surpass $11 billion in revenue during the 2023-2026 cycle.
“FIFA can confirm it is in discussions with associations around the world to increase available revenues,” a FIFA spokesperson said.
The spokesperson said the proposal includes increased financial contributions for all qualified teams in the 2026 World Cup as well as more development funding for all 211 member associations.
“The FIFA World Cup 2026 will be groundbreaking in terms of its financial contribution to the global football community,” the spokesperson said, adding FIFA is in its strongest-ever financial position to support the global game through its FIFA Forward programme.
Under FIFA’s initial funding package, the biggest share of the $655 million prize pool was allocated as performance-based payments for the 48 participating nations.
According to FIFA’s earlier announcement, the champions would receive $50 million, while the runners-up would get $33 million. The 16 teams eliminated in the group stage would each earn $9 million.
Each qualified nation would also receive $1.5 million to cover preparation costs.
FIFA’s 2025 annual report said 93 percent of its total budgeted revenue had already been contracted by the end of 2025, driven in part by the success of the inaugural 32-team Club World Cup held in the United States last year.
The 2026 World Cup will be held from June 11 to July 19 in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
Bd-Pratidin English/ AM
