FIFA Council Approves Record $871M Total Financial Contribution for World Cup 2026 — 15% Increase

The FIFA Council unanimously approved a record $871 million total financial contribution for the 2026 World Cup at its meeting in Vancouver on April 29, a 15% increase from the previously announced $755 million and up sharply from the original $727 million prize pot. Key changes under the new allocation: preparation payment per team raised from $1.5M to $2.5M; qualification bonus raised from $9M to $10M; additional $16M+ in team delegation cost subsidies; and increased ticket allocation to federations to offset operational costs. The revision came after formal warnings from multiple UEFA member associations that competing in the United States could result in net financial losses despite the record prize fund — citing high US travel costs, accommodation expenses, operational overheads, and the US tax framework applicable to non-US football entities. The champion will now receive a share of the increased total; full per-position breakdowns were to be published by FIFA.com following the April 30 Congress. FIFA President Infantino framed the increase as a commitment to making the expanded 48-team format economically equitable for all participating federations.