FIFA raises 2026 World Cup prize pool to record $871 million
Updated
Updated · CNBC · May 4
FIFA raises 2026 World Cup prize pool to record $871 million
10 articles · Updated · CNBC · May 4
Announced at a FIFA Council meeting in Vancouver, the package includes more than $16 million for delegation costs and ticket allocations, with minimum team payouts rising to $12.5 million.
Preparation money increases to $2.5 million from $1.5 million and qualification money to $10 million from $9 million, ahead of the expanded 48-team tournament in the US, Mexico and Canada.
The higher payouts come amid criticism over dynamic ticket pricing and commercial ties, even as FIFA says demand is strong, with about 508 million requests for seven million tickets.
As FIFA profits soar, are record ticket prices making the World Cup a luxury event only for the wealthy?
With host cities bearing huge costs, who are the real financial winners and losers of the 2026 World Cup?