FIFA has decided to increase the prize money for the World Cup by 50 percent, with a record $655 million set to be distributed among teams in the upcoming tournament in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
The 2026 World Cup, scheduled for June and July, will feature 48 teams, making it the largest edition in the tournament’s history.
For context, the 2022 World Cup in Qatar had a total prize pool of $440 million, with champions Argentina earning $42 million and runners-up France receiving $30 million.
In 2026, the winning team will take home $50 million, an increase of $8 million from the previous edition. The runners-up will receive $33 million, while the third-place team will earn $29 million and the fourth-place team $27 million.
Teams eliminated in the quarter-finals will each get $19 million. Those exiting in the round of 16 will earn $15 million, while teams that fail to progress past the round of 32 will take home $11 million.
Even teams that do not advance from the group stage are guaranteed $9 million. Additionally, each qualified team will receive $1.5 million to cover preparatory expenses, ensuring a minimum of $10.5 million per team.
The 2026 tournament will take place across 16 cities in the three North American countries, with a total of 104 matches, starting on June 11.
