Football’s governing body FIFA has set aside a record $727 million in prize money for the 2026 World Cup, the first edition featuring 48 teams, with the champions poised to claim $50 million and each participant guaranteed at least $10.5 million.
The allocation, approved by the FIFA Council during a meeting in the Qatari capital ahead of the Intercontinental Cup final, includes $655 million in direct rewards to teams and $1.5 million per nation for preparation costs.
Under the breakdown, the runners-up will receive $33 million, third place $29 million, and fourth $27 million. Teams finishing fifth to eighth earn $19 million each, ninth to 16th $15 million each, 17th to 32nd $11 million each, and 33rd to 48th $9 million each.
This marks a 50 percent increase over the funds distributed among the 32 teams at the 2022 tournament in Qatar.
A FIFA statement highlighted the timing, noting: “With excitement mounting following the final draw that took place on 5 December 2025 in Washington, DC, the FIFA Council approved a record-breaking financial contribution of $727 million to be distributed as a result of the FIFA World Cup 2026.”3b8b8d
The tournament, co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, follows the recent draw in the US capital that mapped out the group stages.
