The U.S. men’s national team’s Round of 16 finish at the 2026 FIFA World Cup will also financially benefit the U.S. women’s national team under U.S. Soccer’s landmark equal-pay agreement.
After earning $16 million in FIFA prize money, U.S. Soccer will retain 20% under the collective bargaining agreement signed in 2022. The remaining 80% ($12.8 million) will then be split equally between the men’s and women’s national teams, with each side receiving $6.4 million.
The arrangement is one of the key provisions of the historic CBA, which was negotiated following years of advocacy by the USWNT for equal pay. The agreement, which runs through 2028, requires both national teams to equally share FIFA World Cup prize money regardless of which tournament generates it.
Although the U.S. women have not yet qualified for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil, their share of the prize money will be held in an interest-bearing account until the squad is finalized. Both the principal and accrued interest will be distributed equally among the players.
The current model marks a significant shift from previous World Cups. In 2022, the USMNT earned $13 million for reaching the Round of 16 in Qatar, while the USWNT received only $1.87 million after reaching the same stage at the 2023 Women’s World Cup due to FIFA’s unequal prize structures.
FIFA significantly increased prize money for the expanded 2026 FIFA World Cup, allocating $871 million in prize money and related payments across the 48 participating teams. Quarterfinalists are guaranteed at least $20 million, semifinalists $28 million, third place $30 million, runners-up $34 million, and the champions $51 million, surpassing the $42 million awarded to Argentina for winning the 2022 World Cup.
In addition to prize money, U.S. players also receive $10,000 per World Cup match from U.S. Soccer under the collective bargaining agreement.