FIFA to pay record $355m to clubs for 2026 World Cup

ZÜRICH: FIFA on Tuesday announced it will distribute a record $355 million to clubs worldwide under an expanded Club Benefits Programme (CBP) for the 2026 World Cup.

The payout represents an almost 70 per cent jump from the $209 million disbursed after the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

For the first time, clubs that release players for World Cup qualifiers — not just the finals — will be compensated, soccer’s world governing body said.

The initiative is part of a renewed memorandum of understanding between FIFA and the European Club Association (ECA) signed in March 2023, aimed at creating a more inclusive and equitable system for global club football.

“The enhanced edition of the FIFA Club Benefits Programme for the FIFA World Cup 2026 is going a step further by recognising financially the huge contribution that so many clubs and their players around the world make to the staging of both the qualifiers and the final tournament,” FIFA President Gianni Infantino said in a statement.

An unprecedented total set aside to reward a record number of clubs 🙌

For the first time, the FIFA Club Benefits Programme will directly reward all clubs releasing players for the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers.

— FIFA (@FIFAcom) September 16, 2025

The CBP was first introduced for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. In 2022, 440 clubs from 51 FIFA member associations received payments under the programme.

With the 2026 edition set to include compensation for qualifiers, the number of benefiting clubs is expected to rise significantly.

ECA Chairman Nasser Al-Khelaifi called the programme “innovative.”

“Clubs play a pivotal role in the success of national team football,” he said. “This initiative recognises every element of it, from early development through to release for the most important games.”

Al-Khelaifi added that “we look forward to continuing to work closely with FIFA, and the global football community, to ensure we keep driving growth and development of international football.”

The 2026 World Cup runs from June 11 to July 19 in the US, Mexico and Canada. Washington’s John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington will host the 2026 World Cup draw.

World Cup 2026: Draw

POTUS & FIFA President Gianni Infantino announce World Cup 2026 matches (group, R32, R16, QF, SF & F) to be drawn at Kennedy Center in DC.

Infantino gifts POTUS Donald J Trump a very first ticket for the Final.

For Public, tickets sale will open on… pic.twitter.com/3CtzUUm1tq

— U San Aung Htun (@usanaunghtun) August 22, 2025