FIFA is preparing to increase the prize money for all 48 national teams participating in the 2026 World Cup.

For weeks, national clubs have been demanding a higher prize for participation to offset the high costs of participating in the tournament.

Although FIFA has increased the prize money by 50% compared to the last tournament, this will be the first World Cup to be contested by 48 teams.

On the other hand, the tournament will take place in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, three vast countries that will imply longer trips—and therefore higher costs for the national associations.

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FIFA had already announced a record prize of US$727 million (approximately €620 million). But if the prize money was divided among 32 teams in Qatar 2022, it will now have to be divided among 48 teams.

FIFA’s December announcement regarding the prize money stated that the champion would take home US$50 million and the runner-up US$33 million, while the 16 teams that failed to advance from the group stage would receive US$9 million.

In addition, each qualified team would be entitled to US$1.5 million to cover preparation costs.

However, a further increase in prize money is now expected, a decision that will take place at the FIFA meeting in Vancouver, Canada, this week.