FIFA paid out as much as $871 million to all 48 teams that participated in the 2026 World Cup, making it the largest prize pool ever recorded in the event’s history.
In addition to featuring 48 teams, this edition was also the first to take place across three different nations.
Consequently, teams competing in matches outside their home country incurred additional travel expenses.
As reported by CNBC, each of the 48 teams received a minimum of $12.5 million for their participation in the World Cup.
This amount comprises $10 million in prize money for qualifying and competing in the group stage, along with $2.5 million allocated for pre-tournament training and related expenses.
The total prize money awarded to each team varied based on their progression in the tournament. Spain, as the eventual champions, secured $51 million, which is $9 million more than the $42 million awarded to Argentina for winning the 2022 edition in Qatar.
The runner-up, Argentina, received $34 million, while England and France earned $30 million and $28 million, respectively, for finishing in third and fourth place.
Quarterfinalists Belgium, Norway, Morocco, and Switzerland each received $20 million, whereas Brazil, the USA, Portugal, Egypt, Colombia, and four other nations that reached the round of 16 were awarded $16 million each.
Germany, Cape Verde, Japan, Ecuador, and 12 other teams received $12 million in prize money for advancing to the round of 32, while teams that did not progress beyond the group stage earned $10 million.
The increase in prize money was a response to requests from various federations, particularly those in Europe, which contended that the initial payment structure would result in out-of-pocket expenses unless their teams achieved significant success in the tournament.
Nevertheless, teams that played matches in the United States encountered specific tax obligations that were not applicable in Canada and Mexico.