Football's global governing body, FIFA, has announced a significant 50% increase in the total prize money for the 2026 World Cup, setting a new record for the tournament's financial rewards.
Record-breaking prize fund revealed
The announcement, made on Wednesday 17 December 2025, confirms that the overall prize pot for the expanded 48-team tournament in North America will reach $655 million (£490m). This marks a substantial rise from the $440m distributed during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
The team that lifts the trophy in 2026 will earn a staggering $50 million (£37m), up from the $42m awarded to champions Argentina three years ago. The runner-up will receive $33m, with $29m for third place and $27m for fourth.
Financial breakdown for all teams
For the first time, 48 nations will compete in the World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Every participating team is guaranteed a significant pay-out.
The full prize structure is as follows:
- Winners: $50m
- Runner-up: $33m
- 3rd place: $29m
- 4th place: $27m
- 5th-8th: $19m each
- 9th-16th: $15m each
- 17th-32nd: $11m each
- 33rd-48th: $9m each
In addition to these prizes, FIFA stated that all 48 teams will get $1.5m to cover preparation costs. This means every nation is assured a minimum total payment of $10.5m (£7.8m).
Ticket price controversy and financial windfall
The revelation of the enlarged prize fund comes shortly after FIFA faced intense criticism for the extortionate cost of match tickets. Fans had complained after discovering the cheapest tickets for the final were priced over £3,000.
In response, FIFA confirmed this week the creation of a Supporter Entry Tier, offering a limited number of tickets for all matches at just $60 (£45). However, this category will represent less than 1% of the overall capacity for each game.
For example, The Football Association has been allocated 4,022 tickets for England's opening match against Croatia. Of these, only 402 will be available at the £45 price point, with national associations deciding how to distribute them, likely prioritising their most loyal supporters.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino said the 2026 event would be groundbreaking in its financial contribution to the global football community. While $655m is allocated for prize money, a total of $727m (£544m) will be distributed as a direct result of the tournament, though FIFA did not specify the destination of the remaining $72m.
The 2026 World Cup is projected to be a colossal commercial success, with advertising rights and ticket sales expected to generate at least $10 billion (£7.4bn) in revenue for FIFA.
Criticism from supporter groups
Football Supporters' Association chair, Tom Greatrex, responded to the prize fund news by highlighting the disparity with ticket costs. The record prize fund demonstrates there is no shortage of money associated with the World Cup, he stated.
More teams, bigger stadia, a greater number of commercial partners – which all underlines that there is no need to charge extortionate ticket prices to the supporters who bring the vibrancy to the World Cup finals, Greatrex added.
He warned that by persisting with a high-price ticket model, FIFA risks undermining the spectacle of the finals by pricing out the fans who create the atmosphere, ironically devaluing the product for the tournament's commercial partners.
