FIFA has announced a record $355 million compensation package for clubs that release players to participate in the 2026 World Cup, marking a 70 percent increase from the last edition.
The new agreement, unveiled on Tuesday, was reached in partnership with the European Club Association (ECA) and will, for the first time, extend to clubs whose players take part in World Cup qualifiers but do not make the final tournament.
During the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, FIFA disbursed $209 million to 440 clubs across 51 member associations as part of its Club Benefits Programme.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino said the expansion reflects the governing body’s recognition of the critical role clubs play in international football.
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“The enhanced programme for 2026 goes a step further by acknowledging the massive contribution of clubs worldwide, from preparing players in their formative years to releasing them for the most important games,” Infantino stated.
ECA chairman and Paris Saint-Germain president, Nasser Al-Khelaifi, also hailed the agreement, stressing that clubs are central to the success of national team football.
The 2026 World Cup will be the first to feature 48 teams and will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.