The International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) announced that it will increase the amount of money allocated to the teams participating in the 2026 World Cup to approximately $900 million, pointing to the commercial success achieved by its main men’s tournament after its expansion. The FIFA Council approved a 15 percent increase in the financial allocations that will be distributed to the 48 member federations participating in the tournament hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States, in a step aimed at supporting the teams in light of the logistical and financial challenges of the largest tournament in history.

Published on: 04/29/2026 - 11:06

The International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) announced that it will increase the amount of money allocated to the teams participating in the 2026 World Cup to approximately $900 million, pointing to the commercial success achieved by its main men’s tournament after its expansion.

The FIFA Council, which met in Vancouver before the 76th General Assembly of the International Federation, approved a 15 percent increase in the financial allocations that will be distributed to the 48 member associations participating in the tournament, which is hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States.

Details of financial increases

FIFA explained that the total amounts allocated will reach $871 million, as preparation allocations for each team will rise to $2.5 million, compared to about $1.5 million in previous editions.

Qualification bonuses will also increase from $9 million to $10 million, while FIFA indicated that additional contributions will include subsidies to cover the expenses of team delegations, in addition to increasing the shares of team tickets, with a value exceeding $16 million.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino said, “We are proud that FIFA enjoys the best financial position in its history, which enables us to support all member associations in an unprecedented way,” adding, “This is another example of how FIFA’s resources are reinvested in developing the game.”

European concerns about financial and logistical challenges

The sheer scale of organizing the tournament across North America, involving long-distance travel, differing tax regimes, and extensive operational requirements, raised concerns among some participating countries.

In this context, the European Football Association (UEFA) conveyed the concerns of a number of European federations that the teams would face difficulties in achieving financial parity, unless they advance to advanced stages of the tournament.

A record number of profits in the history of the tournament

The 2026 edition will be the first men's World Cup with the participation of 48 teams, instead of 32. This increased financial distribution comes at a time when FIFA is preparing to organize the largest and most commercially profitable edition of the World Cup in history, with the number of teams and matches increasing, and revenue opportunities from ticket sales, sponsorship and broadcast rights expanding.

France 24/Reuters

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