FIFA has approved a $655 million prize fund for the 2026 World Cup, a 50% increase from the $440 million pool in Qatar last year. The winner of the expanded 48-team tournament will take home more than $50 million.
A 50% jump from Qatar
The 2022 World Cup in Qatar offered a total of $440 million in prize money. The 2026 fund jumps by $215 million, a 50% hike. The increase reflects the tournament's expansion from 32 to 48 teams, which means more matches and a longer schedule.
More teams, more money
The 2026 World Cup will be the first to feature 48 teams, up from 32. That expansion adds 16 more national sides and 40 extra games. FIFA hasn't detailed how the prize money will be distributed beyond the winner's share, but the total pool is the largest in the tournament's history.
What the winner gets
The champion will earn over $50 million. That's a significant bump from the $42 million Argentina collected after beating France in the 2022 final. The runner-up and other top finishers will also see larger payouts, though exact figures haven't been released.
The 2026 World Cup is still three years away, but the prize fund is already set. The tournament will be played across three host nations and will run for about six weeks. The expanded format means 104 matches instead of 64.
