FIFA Announces Record Prize Pool For Inaugural Club World Cup

According to reports on Wednesday, FIFA will distribute a total of $1 billion in prize money to the teams participating in this year’s Club World Cup, which will be held in the United States.

The figure is significantly more than the prize money offered for either the last men’s or women’s World Cups.

FIFA has released a few details about the funding for the first 32-team tournament, which will take place every four years.

However, it has signed up a broadcaster and major sponsors in recent weeks.

British streaming service DAZN was awarded the exclusive global rights to the June 14th-July 13th tournament in December, with a source close to the negotiations saying the contract was worth around $1.05 billion.

FIFA has also signed sponsorship contracts with Coca-Cola, Bank of America, Chinese electronics brand Hisense, and Belgian brewers AB InBev.

In comparison, the 2022 men’s World Cup in Qatar offered $440 million in total prize money, and the 2023 Women’s World Cup in New Zealand and Australia had a total prize pool of $110 million.

This season’s UEFA Champions League, with a new 36-club format, will pay a total of $2.66 billion to the clubs involved.

FIFA’s expansion of the tournament has been met with widespread criticism, especially in Europe, largely due to concerns over player welfare.

In October, FIFPro, the global footballers’ union, and the European Leagues association lodged a complaint with the European Commission against FIFA.

The complaint accuses FIFA of abusing its dominant market position by overloading the football calendar with events.

UEFA also expanded the Champions League this season, leading some players, including Ballon d’Or winner Rodri and Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk, to suggest the possibility of a strike.

“I think we are close to that. I think if you ask any player, he will say the same,” said Rodri when asked in September if there was a possibility of players going on strike shortly before suffering a season-ending knee injury.

“It is not the opinion of Rodri or whatever. I think it’s the general opinion of the players.”

The tournament will feature 12 teams from Europe, six from South America, and four each from Asia, Africa, and North and Central America.

Auckland City and Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami complete the lineup.

Not all the reaction has been negative, with Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique insisting “everyone” would want to play.

“Once every four years there’s this new, extremely exciting competition. Everyone wants to go to the Club World Cup,” he said last year.

The Club World Cup will take place at 12 locations in 11 U.S. cities, leading up to the final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, which is also slated to host the 2026 World Cup final.