World Cup 2026 prize money: The staggering amount the winners can earn revealed

If it's coming home, here's how much England will get

The World Cup this year is set to begin on June 11, 2026, and will be hosted across the USA, Mexico, and Canada.

As there are now 48 teams coming together for this year’s edition, they have two targets in front of them.

Surely, each nation wants to win the FIFA World Cup trophy, but they will also aim to earn the staggering $50m (£37.2m) prize money.

As the tournament is expanding to 48 teams, that means there are more matches, more host cities and a much larger financial pot.

For smaller nations, the money can help fund travel, preparation, bonuses, youth development and future football projects.

Compared to the 2022 World Cup, the prize money in 2026 is much higher

The last World Cup that took place in Qatar had a team prize-money pool of $440m.

The fund, which is $655m (£487.5m) in 2026 is hardly surprising, as this year's tournament has 48 teams instead of 32, while it also has 104 matches instead of 64.

This means that more teams and more games create more value, but they also create more costs.

As a result, the winner’s payment has also increased, as Argentina received $42 million (around £34.5 million) for winning the 2022 World Cup, while the 2026 champions will receive $50m (£37.2m) in prize money, plus the separate preparation payment.

Therefore, the financial reward for lifting the trophy has never been higher as this year.

FIFA has confirmed a total prize-money pool of about $655m (£487.5m) for the 48 teams, while each qualified team will also receive around $1.5m (£1.1m) to cover preparation costs.

This way, every national team at this year’s tournament, even if it exits at the group stage, is guaranteed at least $10.5m (£7.8m).

Here’s how the World Cup 2026 prize money works – a breakdown

How the winner’s payment differs from player’s bonus

The World Cup 2026 winners will receive about $50m (£37.2m) in prize money, but once the preparation payment is included, the champions’ total FIFA payment rises to around $51.5m (£38.3m).

The 2026 edition, hosted across the United States, Canada and Mexico, will feature 104 matches instead of the 64-match format used in recent 32-team tournaments.

However, the winner’s payment is not the same as a player’s bonus, as FIFA pays the national association.

Then, each association decides how that money is used. While some of it may go towards squad bonuses, some may fund staff, travel, facilities, women’s football, youth teams or grassroots development.

If you are wondering how much the winners of the World Cup get, the answer is clear in terms of association level, as the winning federation gets about $51.5m (£38.3m), including preparation money.

Meanwhile, the players’ share depends on each country’s own bonus agreement.

Players do not directly receive the World Cup prize money

The prize money from the World Cup is paid to the national football association, not directly to each player.

FIFA does not send the full amount to the squad as a wage-style payment, so this is a distinction that matters.

A national association, for example, may agree on a bonus structure with players before the tournament.

That agreement might include payments for qualification, group-stage progress, knockout wins or winning the trophy.

Those deals vary from country to country, however.

As a result of this, two players who reach the same round with different national teams may not receive the same bonus in the end.

Here’s how much England can earn at this year’s WC

As the final payment depends on how far they go, England can earn the same amount as any other team.

If it truly is coming home this year, the Football Association would receive around $51.5m (£38.3m), including preparation money.

If England finish as runners-up and lose yet another final in a big tournament, that drops to around $33m (£24.6m).

A quarter-final finish would be worth around $19m (£14m), including preparation money.

The same applies to other major contenders such as Argentina, France, Brazil, Germany, Spain and Portugal, as FIFA does not pay a team more because it has a bigger fanbase or stronger history, and the prize table is based on finishing position.