THE 2026 FIFA World Cup will reportedly have a record prize pool, a stark increase from the $440million up for grabs in 2022.
This prize money is set to be split between the 48 competing teams. Here we explore how the funds will be distributed.
When is the World Cup 2026?
The 2026 World Cup will take place in North America, spanning across 16 different cities located in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Mexico get the tournament underway on Thursday, June 11 2026 as the sides from Group A kick-start the Group Stages.
The following day sees the other host nations in Canada (Group B) and the United States (Group D) begin their World Cup campaign.
And the Group Stages stretch out until Saturday, June 27 when all 48 nations have wrapped up their games.
Read More on the World Cup
Next year’s knockout stages begin with the Round of 32 on Sunday, June 28, and games will be played almost every day up until the final.
To decide who takes the majority of the prize money and the most prestigious trophy in football, the World Cup final will take place on Sunday, 19 July at the MetLife Stadium.
What is the World Cup prize money?
The 2026 World Cup will reportedly feature a record-high prize pool of $652million (£493m).
Each nation of the 48 will get one fixed payment based solely on the stage they reach, not cumulative across rounds.
Below is the full distribution of the reported prize pool:
- Group Stage (16 teams), $9m (£6.8m) awarded per team, $144m (£110m) in total
- Round of 32 (16 teams), $13m (£9.8m) awarded per team, $208m (£157m) in total
- Round of 16 (8 teams), $15m (£11.4m) awarded per team, $120m (£90m) in total
- Quarter-final (4 teams), $17m (£12.9m) awarded per team, $68m (£51m) in total
- Fourth Place (1 team), $30m (£23m) awarded per team, $30m (£23m) in total
- Third Place (1 team), $32m (£24m) awarded per team, $32m (£24m) in total
- Runner-up (1 team), $35m (£26m) awarded per team, $35m (£26m) in total
- Winner (1 team), $50m awarded per team, $50m (£38m) in total