This article by Erendira Palma Hernández originally appeared in the December 18, 2025 edition of La Jornada, Mexico’s premier left wing daily newspaper.
Mexico City. A record $727 million will be distributed as part of the prize money for the 2026 World Cup. Each team is guaranteed at least $10.5 million just for participating in the first round, while the champion will receive $50 million. The announcement comes on the heels of a wave of criticism against FIFA from fans due to the high cost of tickets for the first 48-team tournament.
While FIFA boasts of the record-breaking prize money, the figures are far from the $11 to $14 billion that the organization expects to generate from the World Cup in Mexico, the United States, and Canada – which the organization will retain almost entirely – double the $5.7 billion it earned in Qatar 2022, according to reports from the organization itself.
The projected profits of the organization led by Gianni Infantino are based on payments for television rights, sponsorships, and ticket sales, which have been noted for their high costs, ranging from $60 (1,077 pesos) for the group stage to $6,730 (125,960 pesos) for the final, although these figures have changed due to dynamic pricing.
Despite the record figure, the amount of prizes to be awarded in the 2026 Cup falls short of what was awarded in the 2025 Club World Cup, where one billion dollars were distributed and Chelsea took home 125 million as champion of the tournament.
However, the amount to be awarded next year is much higher than the $110 million that was distributed at the 2023 Australia-New Zealand Women’s World Cup.
The governing body of football detailed that of the $727 million approved by the FIFA Council, $655 million will be distributed as prize money among the 48 participating teams. This figure represents a 50 percent increase compared to the $440 million awarded at Qatar 2022, where champions Argentina took home $42 million, while $9 million was given to the teams in the group stage, plus $10,000 for each player per day.
Now, just for qualifying for the World Cup, FIFA will give each federation $1.5 million to cover preparation costs, while countries finishing between 33rd and 48th place will receive $9 million. This means that all participating federations are guaranteed at least $10.5 million.
Teams finishing between 17th and 32nd place will receive $11 million, while those finishing 9th through 16th will earn $15 million. FIFA, the world governing body of football, will also award $19 million to teams finishing between 5th and 8th place.
The semifinalists will receive $27 million, while third place will take $29 million, and the runner-up will get $33 million.
The Mexican national team will seek a minimum of 19 million dollars
Thus, if the Mexican national team reaches at least the round of 16, their previous best before the last World Cup where they were eliminated in the group stage, they could receive at least $15 million. If they advance to the quarterfinals, the round that has been El Tri’s goal since 1986, they could earn around $19 million.
“Hopefully the national team will have a good showing and invest the resources it earns in its youth academy, looking towards the future,” said Rafael Lebrija, former Mexican soccer executive.
“With the prices they are charging, at least the teams benefit a little; the important thing is that this money is used wisely and invested in youth development, facilities, and good salaries for the coaches,” added Emilio Maurer, a former member of the Mexican Football Federation.
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