FIFA to Distribute Record $355m to Clubs for 2026 World Cup
FIFA to distribute a record $355m to clubs worldwide for the 2026 World Cup, marking a significant increase from the 2022 tournament.
“The enhanced edition of the FIFA Club Benefits Programme for the FIFA World Cup 2026 is going a step further by recognising financially...”
FIFA is set to distribute a record-breaking $355 million to clubs worldwide as part of its expanded Club Benefits Programme for the 2026 World Cup. This amount represents a significant increase of nearly 70% compared to the $209 million paid out after the 2022 tournament in Qatar.
The initiative, which was first introduced during the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, aims to recognize the crucial role clubs play in national team football. For the first time, clubs will receive compensation not only for releasing players for the World Cup finals but also for qualifiers.
This move is part of a renewed memorandum of understanding between FIFA and the European Club Association signed in March 2023. The agreement seeks to create a more inclusive and equitable system for global club football. FIFA President Gianni Infantino emphasized that the program acknowledges the substantial contribution clubs and players make to the tournament's success.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup, scheduled to take place from June 11 to July 19, will be hosted jointly by the United States, Mexico, and Canada. With the inclusion of qualifiers in the compensation program, the number of benefiting clubs is expected to rise significantly, surpassing the 440 clubs from 51 FIFA member associations that received payments in 2022.
A new agreement between FIFA and the European Club Association (ECA), signed in March 2023, has led to a significant increase in revenue sharing for clubs. The 2023 Champions League clubs are set to receive a record $355 million, a 70% increase from the $209 million distributed after the 2022 tournament.
The aim of this agreement is to create a fairer and more inclusive system, allowing clubs worldwide to benefit financially from their players' participation in the World Cup. This move is expected to have a positive impact on clubs globally.
“The enhanced edition of the FIFA Club Benefits Programme for the FIFA World Cup 2026 is going a step further by recognising financially the huge contribution that so many clubs and their players around the world make to the staging of both the qualifiers and the final tournament,” according to FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
“A record USD 355 million will be distributed to clubs for the release of their players, and this reinforces our solid collaboration with the European Club Association and clubs worldwide as we all look forward to a groundbreaking and globally inclusive edition of the FIFA World Cup next year.”
Nasser Al-Khelaifi, the experienced sports administrator and president of Paris Saint-Germain, is backing FIFA President Gianni Infantino. As the European Club Association (ECA) chairman, Al-Khelaifi expressed his organization's pleasure in collaborating with FIFA on the FIFA Club Benefits Programme.
“At ECA, we are pleased to have collaborated with FIFA to support the development of this innovative new FIFA Club Benefits Programme,” Al-Khelaifi said. “It will ensure even more clubs across the world are rewarded for releasing players and highlights exactly how ECA’s Memorandum of Understanding with FIFA supports the ongoing growth of the global club game,” he added.
The renewed Memorandum of Understanding between FIFA and ECA has led to a significant increase in revenue sharing for clubs, with a record $355 million set to be distributed to clubs worldwide for the 2026 World Cup. This amount represents a nearly 70% increase compared to the $209 million shared after the 2022 tournament.
“It will ensure even more clubs across the world are rewarded for releasing players and highlights exactly how ECA’s Memorandum of Understanding with FIFA supports the ongoing growth of the global club game.
“Clubs play a pivotal role in the success of national team football and this initiative recognises every element of it, from early development through to release for the most important games.
“We look forward to continuing to work closely with FIFA, and the global football community, to ensure we keep driving growth and development of international football.”
The 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar saw a significant distribution of funds to clubs worldwide. A total of $209 million was shared among 440 clubs from 51 FIFA member associations across all six confederations. This amount was allocated based on the participation of 837 players in the tournament, with each player earning $10,950, regardless of their playing time. The funds were then divided among the clubs where each player was registered in the two years leading up to the tournament.
The next edition of the tournament is scheduled to take place from June 11 to July 19, 2026, in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. As part of a new agreement between FIFA and the European Club Association (ECA), a record $355 million will be distributed to clubs worldwide for the 2026 World Cup, marking a significant increase from the previous edition.
No comments:
Leave comment here