FIFA Allocates $355M for Clubs Releasing Players for World Cup

FIFA has pledged $355 million to clubs for the release of players participating in the 2026 World Cup, which will take place across the United States, Mexico, and Canada. This compensation is part of a program designed to benefit clubs whose players are called up for national teams during qualifying matches and the tournament itself.

The payment structure includes $250 million dedicated to the tournament and $100 million for qualifying rounds. Clubs will receive compensation based on player participation, with earnings of $5,000 per player per day during the tournament and $2,362 per player for each qualifying match.

The program, first launched during the 2010 World Cup, aims to alleviate the financial burden on clubs releasing players. The minimum earnings for clubs whose players reach the final could be around $160,000, depending on the number of days players participate in the tournament.