Football’s biggest tournament is already expanding on the pitch, and now it looks set to grow off it as well. FIFA has confirmed that it is in active discussions with national associations to increase prize money for all 48 teams participating in the FIFA World Cup 2026.
If approved, it would mark another financial leap for the global showpiece.
The proposal is set to be reviewed at Tuesday’s FIFA Council meeting, which will take place ahead of the FIFA Congress in Vancouver. However, the intent is quite clear, FIFA want to distribute more money across the board, not just at the top.
And honestly, it makes sense. With the tournament expanding to 48 teams for the first time, the financial model needs to reflect that scale.
From Record Numbers to Even Bigger Plans
Back in December, FIFA had already announced a prize pool of $655 million for the 2026 edition. That was a 50% increase compared to the previous World Cup, which itself was considered a major jump.
However, even that figure may now be revised upward. Why? Because FIFA are swimming in revenue at the moment.
The governing body is projected to cross $11 billion in earnings during the 2023 to 2026 cycle. In fact, their 2025 annual report revealed that 93% of that revenue had already been secured by the end of last year.
A big contributor was the success of the expanded Club World Cup in the United States. So naturally, there is room to give more back to the game.
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What Teams Currently Stand to Earn?
Under the existing structure, the rewards are already substantial.
- Winners: $50 million
- Runners-up: $33 million
- Group-stage exits: $9 million
- Preparation fund for each team: $1.5 million
Now imagine those numbers getting a bump. That is exactly what FIFA are aiming for. More importantly, the increase is not just about rewarding champions. It is about ensuring that every team benefits in a meaningful way.
More Than Just Prize Money
Interestingly, the proposal is not limited to World Cup payouts. FIFA have also indicated that development funding for all 211 member associations could be increased.
This ties directly into their broader vision through the FIFA Forward Programme, which focuses on strengthening football infrastructure worldwide.
So yes, the headlines will focus on prize money. But behind the scenes, this is also about long-term growth.
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