The payment comes through the Club Benefit Programme, which compensates teams for releasing players to represent their national sides. With the World Cup expanding to 48 teams, the overall compensation package has increased significantly compared to previous editions.
For the first time, clubs are also being rewarded for players taking part in World Cup qualifiers, making the programme larger than ever before.
How the compensation system works
Of the total $355 million fund, $250 million has been allocated for the World Cup tournament itself, while $100 million will be distributed for qualifying matches. The remaining $5 million will be directed towards club football development.
During the World Cup, clubs receive $5,000 (£3,730) per day for each player involved in the tournament. Payments begin from the date players are released and continue until the day after their country’s final match.
For qualifying matches, clubs earned $2,362 (£1,765) whenever a player was named in a matchday squad.
How much money can clubs earn?
The amount received depends on the number of players a club has at the tournament and how long those players remain in the competition.
A player whose team exits in the group stage can earn around $160,000 (£119,500) for his club. If a player reaches the final, that figure can rise to approximately $285,000 (£212,900).
As a result, clubs supplying multiple internationals could collect several million dollars over the course of the tournament.
What happens during transfers?
FIFA has also outlined rules for players who change clubs during the World Cup period.
If a player’s contract expires and he joins another club, compensation is split between the two clubs according to the registration dates. If a player becomes a free agent, no payments are made during the period when he is unattached.
A record-breaking programme
The Club Benefit Programme was first introduced for the 2010 World Cup and has grown steadily since then. FIFA distributed $209 million following the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
With the tournament expanding to 48 teams and lasting longer than ever before, the 2026 edition will see a record $355 million shared among clubs, highlighting FIFA’s effort to reward teams that contribute players to international football’s biggest event.
Discussion about this post