FIFA, the governing body of world football, has announced that the winners of the 2026 World Cup will receive $50 million in prize money, marking a record financial contribution for the tournament.
The total prize fund for the World Cup will be $655 million (approximately €558.5 million), nearly a 50 percent increase from the $440 million awarded to teams in the 2022 tournament in Qatar.
Next year’s edition, to be hosted across the United States, Mexico, and Canada from June 11 to July 19, will feature 48 teams for the first time, up from 32 in the previous tournament.
For comparison, the Argentine Football Association received $42 million after Lionel Messi led them to victory over France in the 2022 final, while France took home $30 million as runners-up. In 2026, the defeated finalists will earn $33 million, third-place finishers will collect $29 million, and the other semi-finalists will receive $27 million each.
Teams eliminated in the group stage will receive $9 million, with all 48 participating nations granted an additional $1.5 million to cover preparation costs.
