Overview
- FIFA approved a record $655 million prize fund for the expanded 48‑team 2026 World Cup and published a fixed breakdown for every finishing place.
- Spain received the $50 million winner’s payment after beating Argentina in the final while Argentina, England and France were allocated $33 million, $29 million and $27 million respectively.
- The 48‑team format guaranteed payments for every participant, with amounts scaling by stage from group‑stage exits up to the champion’s cheque.
- FIFA pays the money to national football associations rather than directly to players, so individual payouts depend on each association’s bonus deals, collective bargaining agreements and national practices.
- Associations are now processing the receipts and applying their own rules for splits and timing, a step that will determine how and when players and staff actually receive their shares.