Kamal Ghorui
NEW DELHI: In a major financial relief for participating nations, FIFA has approved more than $100 million in additional funding for teams ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, citing rising costs of staging the global showpiece across North America.The decision was taken at a FIFA Council meeting in Vancouver, one of the host cities for the expanded 48-team tournament to be jointly held in the United States, Canada and Mexico starting June 11.Bigger payouts to ease financial strainFIFA confirmed that the minimum guaranteed payment to each of the 48 participating federations will rise to $12.5 million — a $2 million increase. Additionally, basic prize money has been raised by $1 million to $10 million per team.Support for pre-tournament preparation has also been significantly boosted, with funding increasing from $1.5 million to $2.5 million. The global body will further allocate $16 million in subsidies to help cover delegation-related expenses.The move comes after several federations, particularly from Europe, raised concerns that the earlier financial model could lead to losses unless teams progressed deep into the knockout stages.Rising costs across North AmericaHosting a tournament across three countries has brought unique logistical and financial challenges. Teams playing in the United States, for instance, will face certain tax obligations that do not apply in Canada or Mexico.Travel and accommodation costs have also surged, with teams required to manage additional expenses such as insurance, incidental hotel charges, and extended delegations beyond the core 50 members funded by FIFA.Record revenues, record prize poolFIFA is projecting revenues of at least $11 billion from the 2026 edition, making it the most lucrative World Cup ever. The total prize pool, announced earlier at $655 million, will see the eventual champions earn $50 million — a significant jump from the $42 million received by Argentina national football team after their triumph in 2022.What FIFA covers — and what it doesn’tUnder tournament regulations, FIFA already pays for business-class return flights, accommodation for a 50-member delegation, and domestic travel, including dedicated vehicles and logistics support.However, federations remain responsible for insurance, extra personnel costs, and various incidental expenses — factors that prompted the push for increased financial backing.
