Key facts
- FIFA has allocated $655 million for the 48 teams in the 2026 World Cup.
- The prize money is a 50% increase from the 2022 World Cup's $440 million.
- The tournament winner will receive $50 million.
- Teams eliminated in the group stage will earn a minimum of $10.5 million.
FIFA has significantly increased the prize money for the 2026 World Cup, allocating a total of $655 million to be distributed among the 48 participating teams. This represents a 50% jump from the $440 million awarded in the 2022 tournament.
Each team will also receive $1.5 million to cover preparation costs, bringing the total allocated distribution to $727 million. The winner of the 2026 World Cup, hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, will secure $50 million. The runner-up will earn $33 million, and the third-place team will receive $29 million.
Prize money decreases based on the final placement in the tournament. Teams reaching the quarterfinals will earn $19 million, while those eliminated in the Round of 16 will receive $15 million. Participants knocked out in the Round of 32 will get $11 million, and teams unable to advance past the group stage will still receive $9 million. This means the lowest possible prize money a nation can receive, including preparation funds, is $10.5 million.
A landmark agreement in 2022 ensures that U.S. women's soccer players will also receive a portion of the World Cup prize pool.