FIFA has officially announced that the winners of the 2026 FIFA World Cup will earn a historic $50 million in prize money, the largest payout ever awarded in the tournament’s history. This amount is part of an overall prize pool totaling $655 million for the competition.
The new prize structure represents an almost 50 percent increase from the $440 million distributed at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, highlighting FIFA’s commitment to increasing financial rewards and supporting the global growth of football.
The 2026 World Cup will be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, with matches scheduled from June 11 to July 19. The tournament will also mark a major milestone with the introduction of a 48-team format, expanding participation beyond the previous 32-team structure.
According to FIFA, the tournament’s runners-up will receive $33 million, while the third-place team will earn $29 million. The remaining semi-finalists will take home $27 million each. Teams that exit the competition at the group stage will be awarded $9 million, and every participating nation will receive an additional $1.5 million to help cover preparation and operational expenses.
FIFA stated that the increased prize fund is intended to reward strong performances while also providing financial support to all competing nations.
The announcement follows the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where Argentina claimed $42 million after defeating France in a dramatic final decided by penalties. France, as runners-up, received $30 million.
With expanded participation and unprecedented prize money, the 2026 FIFA World Cup is expected to be the most financially rewarding and widely contested edition in the history of the tournament.
Source: Gistreel
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