Overview
- FIFA confirmed a $355 million fund for the 2026 edition, up from $209 million in 2022—about a 70% increase.
- For the first time, clubs will be compensated for releasing players for World Cup qualifying matches as well as the finals.
- Officials expect the beneficiary pool to grow well beyond the 440 clubs from 51 associations paid after Qatar 2022, when Manchester City received the largest single payment of about $4.6 million.
- The expansion stems from a memorandum of understanding renewed with the European Club Association in March 2023 to broaden the distribution of tournament revenues.
- Smaller sides could gain new income if their players appear in qualifiers, with reports citing non-league clubs such as Uxbridge and Takeley after Anguilla call-ups.