FIFA agrees 50% rise in prize money for 2026 World Cup

The FIFA World Cup 2026 will be groundbreaking in terms of its financial contribution to the global football community, Infantino says

FIFA World Cup 2026 - FIFA World Cup 2026 Draw - John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Washington, DC, US - Dec 5, 2025 General view of the FIFA World Cup trophy during the draw Pool via REUTERS/Mandel Ngan

Prize money for next year's World Cup will be 50 percent higher than the previous edition with world governing body FIFA agreeing a record $727 million financial contribution to the tournament on Wednesday.

The biggest slice of FIFA's funding package for the North American showpiece - $655 million - will be performance-based payments to 48 participating nations with the champions taking $50 million and the runners-up $33 million.

"The FIFA World Cup 2026 will also be groundbreaking in terms of its financial contribution to the global football community," FIFA President Gianni Infantino said in a statement.

The 16 nations that fail to survive beyond the initial group phase will earn $9 million while in addition, each qualified nation is entitled to $1.5 million to cover preparation costs.

FIFA's Council also confirmed festival-style youth tournaments for under-15s open to all member associations to commence in 2026 with a boys events followed by a girls competition in 2027.

"In recent years, FIFA has stepped up its efforts to boost youth football," Infantino said. "This is a natural next step."

FIFA Council also confirmed that the 2028 Women's Club World Cup will be held from Jan 5 to Jan 30.