FIFA World Cup Prize Money Soars To $655 Million For 2026 Tournament

The FIFA World Cup is just around the corner, and it’s going to be bigger than ever .

The 2026 tournament, jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, will feature a record 48 teams, marking a significant expansion from the previous 32-team format. This massive event is set to kick off on June 11, 2026, and will conclude on July 19, 2026, with the final match.

In a major boost for participating nations, the FIFA Council has approved a record-breaking prize fund of $655 million, representing a 50% increase from the 2022 tournament in Qatar. This substantial prize purse will be distributed among the 48 teams based on their performance, with the winners walking away with a whopping $50 million, up from $42 million in the previous edition. The runners-up will receive $33 million, while third and fourth places will take home $29 million and $27 million, respectively.

The prize money breakdown is as follows: beaten quarter-finalists will each receive $19 million, teams exiting at the round of 16 will get $15 million, and those departing at the round of 32 will be gifted $11 million.

Nations that fail to progress from the group stages will still receive $9 million, and each qualified World Cup team will receive an additional $1.5 million to cover preparation costs

This historic increase in prize money reflects FIFA’s commitment to supporting the growth of football worldwide. With the tournament’s expanded format and record prize fund, the 2026 FIFA World Cup promises to be an unforgettable celebration of the beautiful game