Spain will pocket a record US$50 million (approximately Ksh6.5 billion) for winning the 2026 World Cup, after the world football governing body, FIFA, unveiled the largest prize money package in the tournament’s history.

FIFA will distribute US$655 million in performance-based prize money to the 48 participating teams, with every nation also guaranteed a US$1.5 million preparation grant ahead of the tournament.

Argentina, the runners-up, will receive US$33 million (about Ksh4.3 billion), England (third) and fourth-placed France will earn US$29 million (Ksh3.8 billion) and US$27 million (Ksh3.5 billion), respectively.

Quarter-finalists, who finished between fifth and eighth place, will each take home US$19 million, while teams eliminated in the Round of 16 (ninth to 16th place) will receive US$15 million each.

Nations knocked out in the Round of 32 will earn US$11 million apiece, while the 16 teams eliminated in the group stage will each receive US$9 million.

In addition to the performance-based rewards, all 48 qualified teams will receive a US$1.5 million participation grant to support preparations for the expanded tournament.

2026 FIFA World Cup prize money

Position	Prize Money
Champions	US$50 million
Runners-up	US$33 million
Third place	US$29 million
Fourth place	US$27 million
5th-8th (Quarter-finalists)	US$19 million each
9th-16th (Round of 16)	US$15 million each
17th-32nd (Round of 32)	US$11 million each
33rd-48th (Group stage)	US$9 million each
Preparation grant (all teams)	US$1.5 million each

The increased prize purse follows the expansion of the FIFA World Cup from 32 to 48 teams, with the 2026 edition jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.

The champions’ payout represents an increase of US$8 million from the US$42 million Argentina received after lifting the trophy at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, underlining FIFA’s growing commercial revenues and investment in the global showpiece.