2026 World Cup: FIFA prize money to all 48 countries revealed
by Ayeh Offei-Akoto · MyNewsGh.comFIFA distributed a record $871 million in prize money to the 48 teams that competed at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, making it the largest prize pool in the tournament’s history.
The expanded tournament featured 48 nations for the first time and was also the first World Cup to be hosted across three countries, with teams incurring additional travel costs for matches played outside their host nation.
According to CNBC, every participating team received a minimum of $12.5 million, made up of $10 million for qualifying and competing in the group stage, plus $2.5 million to cover pre-tournament training and related expenses.
Prize money increased based on each team’s progress in the competition. World champions Spain received $51 million, surpassing the $42 million awarded to Argentina for winning the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Runners-up Argentina earned $34 million, while third-placed England received $30 million and fourth-placed France collected $28 million.
Quarter-finalists Belgium, Norway, Morocco and Switzerland each received $20 million, while Brazil, the United States, Portugal, Egypt, Colombia and the other Round of 16 teams were awarded $16 million apiece.
Germany, Cape Verde, Japan, Ecuador and the other teams eliminated in the Round of 32 received $12 million, while nations that exited in the group stage were paid $10 million.
The increase in prize money followed requests from several football federations, particularly in Europe, which argued that the previous payment structure could leave teams facing financial losses unless they progressed deep into the tournament.
However, teams that played matches in the United States were also subject to certain tax obligations that did not apply to games staged in Canada and Mexico.
Source: MyNewsGh.com
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