Spain could lose up to 30 per cent of the $50 million prize money it earned for winning the 2026 FIFA World Cup to United States federal taxes.
La Roja beat Argentina 1-0 in the final at the New York New Jersey Stadium on Sunday, July 19.
Under US tax laws, income earned from activities in the country is generally taxable.
Payments to non-resident foreign athletes are typically subject to a 30 per cent federal withholding tax unless reduced by a tax treaty or another exemption.
Speaking on the potential tax burden, Republican Congressman Tim Burchett of Tennessee, as reported by Fox News on Tuesday, described it as excessive.
“I think it’s a rip-off,” Burchett said.
“I’m not a fan of it, but Americans have to do it. American professional athletes do it, so they knew that when they came over here,” he said.