FIFA will distribute $355 million to clubs worldwide for releasing players to participate in the 2026 World Cup, a notable increase from the $209 million allocated during the 2022 Qatar World Cup. The program, an evolution of a 2023 agreement between FIFA and the European Club Association, will directly compensate clubs based on player participation in both the preliminary and final stages of the tournament, irrespective of their national team’s performance.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino stated the program ”will take another step and recognize in economic terms the immense contribution made by clubs and players from all over the world to celebrate the preliminary phase and the final phase of the tournament.”
In 2022, 440 clubs representing 51 federations across six confederations – Oceania, Asia, Africa, europe, Concacaf, and Conmebol – benefited from the distribution. The $355 million represents approximately 1.3 billion Colombian pesos.
