FIFA Announces Record $355m Club Compensation Package for 2026 World Cup

‎FIFA has unveiled a record US$355 million allocation for clubs worldwide through an expanded Club Benefits Programme (CBP) tied to the 2026 World Cup.

‎For the first time, clubs will receive payments not only for releasing players for the tournament but also for those released for World Cup qualifiers.

‎This arrangement stems from a new agreement between FIFA and the European Club Association (ECA), signed in March 2023. Its goal is to create a fairer and more inclusive system so clubs globally benefit from their players’ participation in football’s premier tournament.

‎The total payout is nearly 70% higher than the $209 million distributed after the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

‎“The enhanced edition of the FIFA Club Benefits Programme for the FIFA World Cup 2026 is going a step further by recognising financially the huge contribution that so many clubs and their players around the world make to the staging of both the qualifiers and the final tournament,” according to FIFA President Gianni Infantino.

‎“A record USD 355 million will be distributed to clubs for the release of their players, and this reinforces our solid collaboration with the European Club Association and clubs worldwide as we all look forward to a groundbreaking and globally inclusive edition of the FIFA World Cup next year.”

‎Backing Infantino is ECA president Nasser Al-Khelaifi, the experienced sports administrator who also serves as president of Paris Saint-Germain, the reigning UEFA Champions League winners.

‎”At ECA, we are pleased to have collaborated with FIFA to support the development of this innovative new FIFA Club Benefits Programme,” he told FIFA Website.

‎“It will ensure even more clubs across the world are rewarded for releasing players and highlights exactly how ECA’s Memorandum of Understanding with FIFA supports the ongoing growth of the global club game.

‎”Clubs play a pivotal role in the success of national team football and this initiative recognises every element of it, from early development through to release for the most important games.

‎“We look forward to continuing to work closely with FIFA and the global football community to ensure we keep driving growth and development of international football.”

‎In the 2022 FIFA World Cup held in Qatar, a total of USD 209 million was distributed among 440 clubs from 51 FIFA member associations across all six confederations.

‎The 2026 edition is scheduled to run from June 11 to July 19, 2026, and will be hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada.