The prize money for the 2026 FIFA World Cup will rise sharply because the tournament has expanded to 48 teams. According to the financial sports site Sportec, the new world champions will receive $50 million, up 19% from the $42 million Argentina earned at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
The article says that if the amount were divided evenly among a 26-player squad, each player would get about $1.92 million. In practice, however, national federations decide how to distribute the money, and much of it usually remains with the federation to support local football development.
The runner-up will earn $33 million, more than the prize money from the recent Euro, Champions League and Copa America. The third-place team will get about $29 million, while fourth place will receive $27 million. Teams eliminated in the round of 16 will take $15 million, teams exiting in the round of 32 will get $11 million, quarterfinalists $19 million, and teams that do not advance from the group stage will receive about $9 million.
The report was published on June 19, 2026, after the first round of the World Cup concluded, with some teams making strong statements and others disappointing. The tournament is still far from deciding its champion, but the financial stakes are already clear.
