FIFA has announced a significant increase in payments to football clubs whose players participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup and qualifying matches, raising its Club Benefits Programme to $355 million.
The governing body said on Friday that the new allocation represents a 70 per cent increase from the amount distributed during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
The expanded programme comes ahead of the 2026 tournament, which will feature 48 teams, up from 32, and will include 104 matches over 39 days, compared with 64 matches played over 29 days in 2022.
For the first time, clubs will also receive compensation for players involved in World Cup qualifying matches.
FIFA disclosed that $250 million of the fund has been set aside for player participation at the finals. Under the arrangement, clubs will receive a minimum of $5,000 per player per day spent at the tournament, with final payments to be confirmed after the competition.
The payments will be calculated based on squad inclusion and the duration of each player’s participation during the tournament.
An additional $100 million has been allocated for qualifying matches. FIFA said clubs will receive $2,362 for every player named in a match-day squad across 905 qualifying matches, as well as selected friendly games involving the three host nations, which qualify automatically.
The remaining $5 million will cover administrative expenses, with any surplus redirected to support global club football development.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino said the increased funding reflects the benefits of the expanded World Cup format and provides additional support to clubs that supply players for international competition.
The payments will be based on a player’s club registration at the time final tournament squads are announced, although FIFA said provisions have been made for players who transfer clubs during the competition or are added as replacements.
