FIFA announces 2026 World Cup winner will take home a record US$50 million

By Canadian Press on December 17, 2025.

The 2026 World Cup champion will take home a record $50 million (all figures in U.S. dollars), with every one of the 48 participating teams collecting at least $10.5 million.

The FIFA Council, meeting ahead of the FIFA Intercontinental Cup final in Doha, Qatar, announced that a record $727 million will be distributed through the expanded sport 104-game showcase.

Some $655 million of that will be paid out as prize money among the 48 participating teams.

The runner-up will collect $33 million, with the third-place side picking up $29 million and the fourth-place finisher $27 million. That goes all the way down to $9 million for teams finishing 33rd to 48th.

In addition, each qualified team will receive $1.5 million to cover preparation costs.

The announcement comes in the wake of widespread criticism of FIFA for inflated ticket prices at the tournament co-hosted by Canada, the U.S. and Mexico.

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This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 17, 2025

The Canadian Press