The world football governing body disclosed on Friday that the amount allocated under its Club Benefits Programme has been increased by 70 per cent compared to the fund distributed during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Although FIFA does not publicly release its overall World Cup revenue figures, it projects that its earnings in 2026 will be 56 per cent higher than those recorded in 2022. The organisation also estimates that revenue generated between 2023 and 2026 — a cycle that includes the expanded Club World Cup in 2025 — will be 72 per cent higher than in the previous four-year period.
The 2026 World Cup will be the largest in the competition’s history, expanding from 32 teams to 48. The number of matches will increase from 64 to 104, while the tournament will run for 39 days instead of the 29-day schedule used in Qatar.
For the first time, clubs will also receive compensation for players involved in World Cup qualifying matches.
FIFA said the $355 million fund will be divided into three categories.
A total of $250 million has been earmarked for players participating in the World Cup finals. According to FIFA, the minimum payment will be $5,000 per player for each day spent at the tournament, though the final figures will only be confirmed after the competition concludes.
“These payments, FIFA said, “will be calculated on a per-player, per-day basis, taking into account both squad inclusion and the duration of each player’s involvement”.
Another $100 million has been set aside for World Cup qualifiers. FIFA estimates it will pay $2,362 for every player named in a match-day squad across the 905 qualifying matches, as well as 10 international friendlies involving the three host nations, which automatically qualified for the tournament.
The remaining $5 million will cover administrative expenses, with any surplus “allocated to the benefit of global club football”.
Explaining the expanded programme, FIFA President Gianni Infantino said: “This is another benefit from the expanded FIFA World Cup – providing more support across the entire football ecosystem to the clubs that provide all the players who compete to shine on the global stage.”
FIFA added that payments will be based on a player’s club registration at the time World Cup squads are announced, although provisions have been included for players who transfer clubs during the tournament and for replacement players called up after the initial squad lists are submitted.