The FIFA World Cup 2026 is set to feature unprecedented financial rewards for participating teams, with the winner receiving a record $50 million jackpot. The sprawling tournament, the first men’s World Cup to feature 48 teams, will unfold in venues across the United States, Canada and Mexico. It is sure to be an exciting contest with a large increase in total prize money from earlier years.
In this year’s competition, the second-place team will be awarded $33 million, and the third-place team $29 million. Even the team that comes in last place–finishing fourth overall–would still earn $27 million. In fact, even the last place team won’t walk away with nothing, as all 48 nations will take home at least $9 million. Furthermore, all 48 participating nations are guaranteed $1.5 million to help defray their preparation expenses. This record allocation reaffirms FIFA’s robust commitment to investing in its member associations.
The FIFA World Cup 2026 features an incredible overall prize fund of $655 million. This represents a staggering 50 percent increase from the last edition hosted in Qatar. This landmark increase is part of FIFA’s reform agenda to improve the financial governance of world football.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino is the first to celebrate this new prize structure. He thinks it is revolutionary in its financial commitment to the international football community.
Even the FIFA Club World Cup has expanded from seven teams to 32. It now gives away a total prize fund of $1 billion! The champion of that tournament can take home as much as $125 million. Among other things, this underscores the difference in priorities between club versus national team competition. Despite the increase in World Cup prize money, it still falls short of half of what is available at the Club World Cup.
Indeed, the prize for winners of the FIFA World Cup 2022 was a staggering $42 million. The winner of the 2018 World Cup went home with $38 million. In addition, FIFA understands the increasing commercial importance of the beautiful game around the globe. Hence, the ever-increasing value of its prize money.
The FIFA World Cup 2026 aims not only to entertain millions of fans worldwide but to ensure that participating nations are financially supported. The tournament has a record high prize pool and overall increased financial incentives. It has the potential to become a celebratory hallmark event in the beautiful game’s history of international football.
