FIFA to Distribute Just 5% of Projected World Cup Earnings

Amid backlash over high ticket costs, Gianni Infantino is attempting to address complaints with the announcement of remuneration for the 48-team tournament. Photo: Xinhua

A record-breaking $727 million will be distributed as part of the financial prizes for the 2026 World Cup. For at least participating in the first round, each national team is guaranteed $10.5 million, while the champion will receive $50 million. This announcement comes just after a wave of criticism directed at FIFA from fans due to the high cost of tickets for the first 48-team tournament.

While FIFA is boasting about the historic prize amount, the figures are far from the $11 to $14 billion the organization expects to generate from the World Cup in Mexico, the United States, and Canada—which the body will retain almost in its entirety. This projected revenue is double the $5.7 billion generated in Qatar 2022, according to the organization's own reports.

The projected earnings for the body led by Gianni Infantino are based on payments for television rights, sponsorships, and ticket sales. The latter have been criticized for their high costs, ranging from $60 for group stage matches to $6,730 for the final, although these figures have changed due to dynamic pricing.

Despite the record sum, the amount of prizes to be awarded for the 2026 World Cup falls below what was distributed in the 2025 Club World Cup, where $1 billion was shared and Chelsea took home $125 million as champion.

However, the amount to be distributed next year is significantly higher than the $110 million shared in the 2023 Australia-New Zealand Women's World Cup.

The global football governing body detailed that of the $727 million approved by the FIFA Council, $655 million will be distributed as prizes among the 48 participants. This figure represents a 50% increase compared to the $440 million awarded in Qatar 2022, where champion Argentina pocketed $42 million, while $9 million was given to teams in the group stage, plus $10,000 for each player per day.

Now, just for qualifying for the World Cup, FIFA will give each federation $1.5 million to cover preparation costs, while countries finishing between 33rd and 48th place will receive $9 million. This means all participating federations are guaranteed at least $10.5 million.

Teams finishing between 17th and 32nd place will receive $11 million, while those from 9th to 16th will earn $15 million. The world football governing body will also award $19 million to those finishing between 5th and 8th place.

Semifinalists will receive $27 million, while the third-place team will take $29 million, and the runner-up will get $33 million.

El Tri Aims for at Least $19 Million

Thus, if the Mexican national team reaches at least the round of 16—a stage that had been its limit until before the last World Cup, where it was eliminated in the group stage—it could receive at least $15 million. If it manages to advance to the quarter-finals, the round that has been El Tri's goal since 1986, it could obtain about $19 million.

"Hopefully the national team will have a good performance and allocate the resources it earns to youth development, looking toward the future," said Rafael Lebrija, a former Mexican football executive.

"With the prices they are charging, at least the teams benefit a little. The important thing is that this money is used well and invested in youth systems, facilities, and good salaries for coaches," added Emilio Maurer, a former member of the Mexican Football Federation.