World Cup-Winning Team to Receive $50 Million as FIFA Performance Purse Increases by 50%

Udaipur, Dec 22, 2025: FIFA has announced record prize money for the 2026 World Cup. In a press release, the global football governing body stated that the prize money for teams participating in next year’s World Cup, to be held across the United States, Mexico, and Canada, has been increased from USD 440 million to USD 655 million, which is an increase of 50%. The prime reason for the increase is the increase in the total number of teams from 32 to 48. The 2022 edition of the FIFA World Cupy was the last edition to feature 32 teams. The USD 9 million purse to the teams from the 33rd position to the 48th positions equals to an additional USD 144 million.

The winning team will receive a record $50 million (approximately ₹425 crore). In total, $727 million (around ₹6,177 crore) will be distributed among the 48 participating countries. Of this, $655 million (about ₹5,565 crore) will be awarded based on performance, while the remaining $72 million (around ₹610 crore) will provide each team with $1.5 million (₹12.75 crore) to help cover preparatory costs such as travel, training camps, and logistics. This is the break up of the prize money among the 48 participating nations:

The organization of the 2026 World Cup recently faced controversy due to high ticket prices. Following protests from fans, FIFA reduced the price of some tickets to $60 (₹5,100). Amid this, the FIFA Council announced the record prize money for the tournament on Wednesday, Dec 17.

Teams eliminated in the group stage will receive $9 million each (₹76.5 crore). The runner-up will receive $33 million (₹281 crore), while the teams finishing third and fourth will get $29 million (₹247 crore) and $27 million (₹229.5 crore) respectively.

World Cup Prize Money and Reactions

Previously, after winning the World Cup in Qatar in 2022, Argentina received $42 million (approximately ₹357 crore), marking their first World Cup victory in 36 years. France received $38 million (around ₹323 crore) after winning the 2018 World Cup. FIFA has been announcing World Cup prize money since 1982, when Italy received $2.2 million (₹18.7 crore) for winning the tournament. FIFA President Gianni Infantino stated that this year’s prize money shows that the World Cup will "open a new financial horizon for the global football community."

In response to the announcement of the 2026 World Cup prize money, Tom Greatrex, chairman of the Football Supporters' Association, said, "The record-breaking prize fund shows that there is no shortage of money for the World Cup. FIFA still has time to prevent the World Cup's uniqueness from being destroyed. They should take action now."

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will begin on June 11, 2026 with 48 teams. In the opening match in Mexico City, co-hosts Mexico will face South Korea.