FIFA moves to boost 2026 World Cup payouts amid cost pressure

FIFA is in talks to increase prize money and participation payments for the 48 teams at the 2026 men’s World Cup, responding to concerns from national associations that the cost of competing could leave them out of pocket.The proposal is due to go to a FIFA Council meeting in Vancouver on April 28, ahead of the FIFA Congress on April 30, with the tournament scheduled for June 11 to July 19 across the United States, Mexico and Canada.A FIFA spokesperson said: “FIFA can confirm it is in discussions with associations around the world to increase available revenues.”FIFA had already set record distributions in December, approving a US$727m financial contribution package, including US$655m allocated as prize money on a performance basis.Under the published structure, the champions were due to receive US$50m and the runners-up US$33m, with teams eliminated in the group phase set for US$9m. Each qualified team was also due to receive US$1.5m for preparation costs, with the minimum overall payment per team set at US$10.5m.Several associations, led by larger European federations, have argued that the current payout curve leaves limited incremental gains until the latter rounds, while the expanded 48-team format and North American geography increases travel and operational demands.Tax exposure has been a specific flashpoint. FIFA benefits from tax-free status, but qualifying associations are expected to face federal, state and city taxes on earnings, with rates varying by host state, including no state income tax in Florida, 10.75% in New Jersey and 13.3% in California.FIFA has linked the revised team payments to a broader discussion on how much cash it can return to the wider ecosystem via its FIFA Forward programme, including increased development funding for its 211 member associations.The current cycle has included a projected US$2.7bn distribution envelope, with a guaranteed US$5m per association and US$60m per confederation under the existing plan, figures that are now expected to rise if the Council approves additional revenues.FIFA has signalled that its ability to increase payouts is underpinned by strong commercial performance across the 2023–2026 cycle, with the governing body projecting revenues above US$11bn and saying contracted revenues were already largely secured by the end of 2025.Details of the increased World Cup payments and any uplift to development funding are expected to be confirmed after the Vancouver Council meeting.