UEFA Pressures FIFA to Increase World Cup 2026 Prize Money Amid Cost Concerns

Several European soccer associations are facing a troubling possibility: they could actually lose money competing at the 2026 World Cup. This sobering prospect has prompted UEFA to formally pressure FIFA for greater financial support before the tournament kicks off across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

According to multiple sources close to the discussions, UEFA has been approached by numerous member associations requesting they bring their concerns straight to FIFA leadership. The central issue: the expenses of participating — including training camps, large delegation sizes, player performance bonuses, and an especially challenging U.S. tax landscape — risk consuming whatever prize money these countries receive.

Prize money increases don't cover rising costs

FIFA boosted World Cup prize money by 50 percent for this cycle, raising the total pool to $655 million from $440 million at the Qatar tournament. At first glance, that appears quite generous. However, the distribution structure reveals a more complex picture.

This prize pool must now be divided among 48 participating nations instead of 32. Teams eliminated in the group stage receive $9 million — unchanged from 2022 — plus a $1.5 million preparation allowance, bringing the baseline to $10.5 million per country. But for federations bringing delegations exceeding the 50-person limit FIFA covers, operating pre-tournament training camps in the U.S. (where one federation was quoted $25,000–$50,000 daily from a single training facility), and dealing with varying state tax obligations, that amount can disappear quickly.

California and New Jersey — home to the final at MetLife Stadium — impose some of the steepest state tax rates in America. Florida and Texas have no state income tax. Whether your group stage matches are scheduled in Los Angeles or Miami isn't merely a logistical concern anymore. It's a financial calculation. One proposal under consideration would have FIFA provide additional support for federations playing more games in high-tax jurisdictions.

FIFA's billions versus federation budgets

FIFA president Gianni Infantino announced in February that the organization expects to generate over $11 billion in revenue from this World Cup cycle. FIFA has committed to returning at least 90 percent of its budgeted investments to global soccer development — but the exact distribution mechanism remains murky to the federations responsible for actual tournament planning and budgeting.

The issue is scheduled for discussion in closed-door sessions at the FIFA Congress in Vancouver at the end of May. UEFA has declined to make public statements. FIFA also declined to comment but is reportedly exploring potential solutions with participating federations.

For the tournament's wealthier nations, losing money at a World Cup would be humiliating rather than catastrophic. For smaller European associations already operating with limited budgets, the financial equation presents a genuine challenge. Tournament champions take home $50 million. A team that exits in the group stage, accumulates U.S. training camp expenses, pays player bonuses, and plays twice in California? They may be calculating whether participation is financially worthwhile.