FIFA has approved a significant boost in financial distributions to national federations for the 2026 World Cup, raising the total allocation by 15% to $871 million (€745m), driven by what the governing body calls “unprecedented commercial success” from the tournament cycle.
The decision comes as FIFA projects record revenues of around $11 billion for the current cycle, underlining the commercial scale of the expanded 48-team World Cup set to be hosted across the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Under the revised structure, key payments have been increased across multiple categories. Preparation funding for participating federations rises from $1.5 million to $2.5 million, while qualification bonuses increase from $9 million to $10 million. An additional $16 million will be allocated to cover operational costs for federation delegations, alongside improved ticket allocations for teams.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino said the organisation is now in its strongest financial position ever, enabling it to “deliver unprecedented support to all member associations.”
Alongside the financial update, FIFA confirmed Miami as the host city for the 2027 Women’s Club World Cup, following its inaugural edition in London. The move reinforces the United States’ growing role in hosting major global football properties ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
The announcement further reflects FIFA’s broader strategy of expanding commercial output and redistributing more revenue across the global game as it prepares for its most lucrative tournament cycle to date.