FIFA is paying out a whopping €300 million to clubs that release players for the 2026 World Cup. Recently, World Cup qualifying matches have also been taken into account.
Because 48 teams will be participating in the World Cup for the first time in 2026 in the USA, Canada, and Mexico, FIFA will not only earn more money than ever before with its most important tournament, but will also distribute more money than ever before to the clubs that release players. The world governing body agreed on a total of €300 million with the European Club Association (ECA), with one key change from previous tournaments. For the first time, clubs will also receive compensation for players who participate in World Cup qualifying, regardless of whether they make it to the final tournament or not. The expansion of FIFA’s program for club participation in the 2026 World Cup represents even greater financial recognition of the enormous contribution that so many clubs and their players around the world make to both the qualifying rounds and the World Cup finals,“ FIFA quotes its president, Gianni Infantino, as saying, referring to a ”further strengthening of the solid cooperation with the European Club Association and clubs worldwide.” .
There was still €200 million in the pot at the 2022 World Cup
ECA chief Nasser Al-Khelaifi also welcomes the change, which ensures “that even more clubs around the world will be rewarded for releasing players. Clubs play a central role in the success of national team football, and this initiative recognizes all aspects of this, from early development to sending players to major tournaments.“
FIFA intends to publish further details on the new distribution model ”in due course.” At the 2022 World Cup, it paid out around €200 million to 440 clubs around the world. Just under €10,000 was paid out for each day a player spent with their national team during the final tournament in Qatar and the official preparation phase.