PARIS—World football’s governing body FIFA has unveiled an unprecedented financial package for the 2026 World Cup, setting a new benchmark with a total prize fund of $655 million. This represents a striking 49% increase from the $440 million distributed during the 2022 Qatar tournament.
The champion team will claim a historic $50 million purse, substantially exceeding the $42 million awarded to Argentina following their victory in the 2022 final. Runners-up will receive $33 million, while third and fourth-place finishers will earn $29 million and $27 million respectively. Even teams eliminated in the group stage are guaranteed $9 million, with all 48 participating nations receiving an additional $1.5 million to offset preparation expenses.
This financial expansion coincides with the tournament’s format change, marking the first World Cup to feature 48 teams—a 50% increase from previous editions. The 2026 event will be jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada from June 11 to July 19.
The announcement comes alongside FIFA’s response to mounting criticism over ticket pricing. Following complaints from fan organizations describing costs as “extortionate” and “astronomical,” organizers introduced a new budget ticket category priced at $60 for all 104 matches, including the final. FIFA stated these measures aim to support traveling fans following their national teams across host nations.
However, Football Supporters Europe (FSE) dismissed the initiative as “nothing more than an appeasement tactic” following global backlash. The group contends that only a few hundred fans per match would benefit from the discounted tickets, while the majority still face significantly higher prices than previous tournaments.