The champion of the FIFA World Cup 2026 will receive a record prize of US$50 million, according to FIFA. The tournament will distribute a total of US$727 million among the 48 participating national teams, an amount 50% higher than the prize money paid at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Of this total, US$655 million is set aside for sporting prizes tied to performance, while an additional US$72 million will be used for team preparation support.
The prize structure rewards teams based on final placement. The runner-up will earn US$33 million, third place US$29 million, and fourth place US$27 million. Teams finishing between fifth and eighth will receive US$19 million each. Sides placed ninth through 16th will take home US$15 million apiece, while teams finishing 17th through 32nd will collect US$11 million each. The squads that end the tournament between 33rd and 48th place will still receive US$9 million.
Beyond the performance-based awards, every qualified national team will also get US$1.5 million to help cover preparation expenses for the tournament. That means each of the 48 teams is guaranteed at least US$10.5 million overall, combining the preparation grant and the minimum sporting payout.
The financial package reflects FIFA’s growing investment in the expanded 48-team World Cup format. The increase in prize money is meant to reward both competitive success and the logistical demands of preparing for the event. With more teams involved, the distribution also ensures that even nations eliminated early in the tournament still receive substantial compensation.
For Brazil, the tournament begins on Saturday, June 13, with a first-round Group C match against Morocco at the New York New Jersey stadium at 7 p.m. The opening game marks the start of Brazil’s campaign in a World Cup edition notable not only for its sporting scale, but also for its unprecedented prize pool.
