By George Omagbemi Sylvester
FIFA, the global governing body of football, has significantly increased financial allocations for teams participating in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, responding to mounting concerns over rising operational costs.
28 April 2026 — The FIFA Council approved a major boost in total cash distributions to nearly $900 million, raising the prize and support pool to about $871 million for the expanded 48-team tournament set to be hosted across the United States, Canada and Mexico.
The decision follows complaints from several national football associations that the cost of travel, logistics, and taxation (particularly in North America) could leave teams financially strained despite participation.
Under the revised structure, preparation funding for each team increases from $1.5 million to $2.5 million, while qualification payments rise to $10 million. Additional financial support will also cover delegation expenses and ticket allocations.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino described the move as a reinvestment of football revenues into the global game, highlighting the organisation’s strong financial position.
The adjustment underscores the growing financial scale of the World Cup, now evolving into its most expansive and commercially driven edition in history.
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