The FIFA Council announced the financial contribution that the teams participating in the 2026 World Cup will receive, with the World Cup champion taking home $50 million.

The 2026 World Cup, to be held in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, will distribute a total of $727 million.

The majority, $655 million, will be paid as prize money among the 48 teams, with the champion receiving $50 million, the runner-up $33 million, the third-place team $29 million, and the fourth-place team $27 million.

How much money will the teams that qualify for the knockout stages of the 2026 World Cup receive?

Those that finish fifth through eighth will receive $19 million; those that finish ninth through sixteenth, $15 million.

Those that finish between 17th and 32nd will receive $11 million; Those who finish between 33 and 48.9 million.

In addition, each qualified team will receive 1.5 million to cover preparation costs, guaranteeing all participants at least 10.5 million.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino emphasized in a statement that “the World Cup will also be a pioneer in terms of its financial contribution to the global football community.”

FIFA announces Under-15 “festivals”

The Council confirmed that, starting in 2026, the pioneering Under-15 boys' and girls' “festivals” will be open to all its member associations, as part of its commitment to promoting youth football.

The first edition will be contested by boys' teams next year, and the second in 2027 will feature girls' teams. From 2028 onwards, all associations will be invited to participate in two separate competitions. To align with the development needs of under-15 players, matches will be shorter in duration and played on smaller pitches, with teams composed of between seven and nine players.