Manchester United will collect $2.6 million from FIFA’s Club Benefits Programme for making its players available for the 2026 World Cup. The payment is part of a $41 million pool that FIFA has set aside for clubs whose players take part in the tournament.
How the Club Benefits Programme works
FIFA launched the programme to compensate clubs for releasing their players to national teams during World Cup qualifying and the tournament itself. The $41 million figure is drawn from a larger $355 million fund FIFA established for the 2026 edition. The money is distributed based on how many days each player is away from his club, with a daily rate set by FIFA.
What the payment means for Manchester United
The $2.6 million payment covers the period when United’s players are on international duty for the 2026 World Cup. The club has a history of sending several players to major tournaments, so the sum reflects the likely number of call-ups and the duration of their absence. United will receive the money regardless of how far their players progress in the competition.
FIFA’s Club Benefits Programme has been in place since the 2010 World Cup. For the 2022 tournament in Qatar, the total fund was $209 million. The increase to $355 million for 2026 reflects the expanded format — 48 teams instead of 32 — and the longer calendar.
The payment is automatic; clubs do not need to apply. FIFA calculates the amounts based on player registrations and match schedules. United’s share will be deposited after the tournament ends.
