FIFA Announces Minimum Prize Money for 2026 World Cup Participants
The International Federation of Football (FIFA) announced on Wednesday that each team qualified for the final phase of the 2026 World Cup will receive a minimum of $10.5 million in participation fees. This amount includes $1.5 million to cover preparation costs.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino emphasized that "the 2026 World Cup will also be historic in terms of financial contribution to the global football community."
According to the same source, a total envelope of $727 million will be distributed among the participating teams in the 2026 World Cup, scheduled to take place from June 11 to July 19.
The decision was made by the FIFA Council, which met on the sidelines of the FIFA Club World Cup final in Doha, Qatar.
The largest share, estimated at $655 million, a 50% increase from the previous edition, will be paid to the 48 participating federations in the form of grants. The distribution of prizes will be based on the final ranking of the tournament.
The world champion team will receive $50 million, the runner-up $33 million, the third-place team $29 million, and the fourth-place team $27 million. Teams ranked from fifth to eighth place will receive $19 million, those from ninth to sixteenth place will receive $15 million, from seventeenth to thirty-second place will receive $11 million, and teams ranked from thirty-third to forty-eighth place will receive $9 million.
Breakdown of Prize Money
- Champion: $50 million
- Runner-up: $33 million
- Third place: $29 million
- Fourth place: $27 million
- Fifth to eighth place: $19 million
- Ninth to sixteenth place: $15 million
- Seventeenth to thirty-second place: $11 million
- Thirty-third to forty-eighth place: $9 million
This decision reflects FIFA's commitment to supporting the global football community and providing a significant financial incentive for teams participating in the 2026 World Cup.
