Racing
League
Rugby
Cricket
Golf
Motorsport
Combat Sports
Football
Netball
Basketball
Other Sports
Sport Nation
FIFA agree 50% rise in prize money for 2026 World Cup
Reuters • December 18th, 2025 8:41 am
FIFA, under president Gianni Infantino, have announced record prize money for next year's World Cup | Photo: AP
Prize money for next year's World Cup will be 50 per cent higher than at the previous edition, in Qatar in 2022, after world governing body FIFA agreed a record $NZ1.2 billion financial contribution to the tournament.
The biggest slice of FIFA's funding package for the North American showpiece - $NZ1.1 billion - will be performance-based payments to 48 participating nations, with the champions taking $NZ85 million and the runners-up $NZ57 million.
"The FIFA World Cup 2026 will also be groundbreaking in terms of its financial contribution to the global football community," FIFA President Gianni Infantino said in a statement.
The 16 nations that fail to survive beyond the initial group phase will earn $NZ15.5 million while in addition, each qualified nation is entitled to $NZ1.7 million to cover preparation costs.
World Cup contestants will be playing for record prize money but fans remain unhappy | Photo: AP
The announcement came as FIFA continued to draw fire for ticket prices, with one influential supporters' group saying record-breaking prize money demonstrates there is no need for organisers to charge "extortionate" prices for tickets.
Tom Greatrex, the chair of the England's Football Supporters' Association, said: "Unless they reconsider the ticket pricing model, FIFA are in danger of undermining the spectacle of the finals by pricing out those who bring colour, atmosphere and emotion to games.
"It is not too late for FIFA to avoid the catastrophic error of all but killing what is special about the World Cup. They should act now."
FIFA Council also confirmed festival-style youth tournaments for under-15s open to all member associations to commence in 2026 with a boys' events followed by a girls' competition in 2027.
"In recent years, FIFA has stepped up its efforts to boost youth football," Infantino said. "This is a natural next step."
FIFA Council also confirmed that the 2028 Women's Club World Cup will be held from January 5-30.
Riccardo's reaction to All Whites being drawn into Group G for 2026 FIFA World Cup | Studs Up! Podcast
