FIFA sets aside 300 million euros for clubs of World Cup players

World football’s governing body FIFA has confirmed that it will set aside around 300 million euros to compensate clubs whose players participate in the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

The initiative, part of the expanded Club Benefits Programme, ensures that teams contributing players to national squads will be financially rewarded for their role in supporting the tournament. Crucially, for the first time, this compensation will not be limited to clubs whose players take part in the final tournament itself, but will also include those who release players for the qualification phase.

This expansion marks a significant shift in FIFA’s approach, acknowledging the growing demands placed on clubs as the international calendar becomes increasingly congested. With the 2026 World Cup set to feature an unprecedented 48 teams and more matches than ever before, the involvement of clubs worldwide is expected to be greater, and so too is the financial strain of releasing players for extended periods.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino underlined the importance of this step in a public statement. “This improved version of the Club Benefits Programme goes one step further,” he said. “With this, we are financially recognizing the enormous contribution that so many clubs and their players all over the world make to the organization of both the qualifiers and the final tournament.” His comments highlight a broader ambition to foster greater cooperation between FIFA and clubs, who have often voiced concerns about bearing the physical and financial costs of international competitions without direct compensation.

The decision to expand the programme followed consultations with the European Club Association (ECA), the influential body representing clubs across Europe. While European sides stand to benefit significantly given the high number of internationals they provide, FIFA stressed that the initiative is global in scope and will extend support to clubs from every continent. The goal, according to insiders, is not only to ease tensions with European powerhouses but also to provide much-needed financial support to smaller clubs around the world who depend on development and transfer revenues.

The increase in funding is striking when compared to the previous tournament. After the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, a total of 170 million euros was distributed among 440 clubs from 51 different countries. The new allocation of 300 million euros for 2026 represents a near-doubling of that figure and reflects both the expanded size of the competition and FIFA’s intent to recalibrate the relationship between the international governing body and domestic football institutions.

For many smaller clubs, this money could prove transformative. When one of their players is called up for qualifiers or the main event, not only do they gain prestige, but they also receive a financial boost that can be reinvested in infrastructure, youth academies, or general stability. In some cases, the payout from FIFA can exceed the club’s annual operating budget, underlining just how critical the programme can be at the grassroots level.

At the same time, the move will also reassure elite European clubs that frequently release large numbers of internationals. The likes of Real Madrid, Manchester City, Bayern Munich, and Paris Saint-Germain often lose half their squads to international duty, heightening concerns over player fatigue, injury risks, and fixture congestion. Financial compensation alone may not erase these frustrations, but it represents a step toward bridging the gap between FIFA’s global ambitions and the practical realities faced by clubs.

The 2026 World Cup will be a tournament of records more teams, more games, and more players involved than ever before. For FIFA, ensuring clubs feel recognized and supported is a strategic necessity. By boosting the Club Benefits Programme, the governing body aims to ease long-standing tensions and present the tournament as not just a global spectacle but also a collaborative effort in which clubs worldwide have a tangible stake.