Fifa has raised the total cash distributions for the 2026 World Cup to US$871 million, up from US$727 million announced in December, and confirmed a new red card rule for players who cover their mouths during confrontations with opponents as part of an anti-racism drive. [1]
The money will be shared among the 48 teams in the finals in Mexico, Canada and the United States. Fifa also increased the preparation costs payment for each qualified team to US$2.5 million from US$1.5 million, and raised the payment for qualifying for the tournament to US$10 million from US$9 million. [1]
Fifa president Gianni Infantino said the governing body was in its strongest financial position. "Fifa is proud to be in its most solid financial position ever, enabling us to help all our member associations in an unprecedented way," he said. "This is one more example of how Fifa’s resources are reinvested back into the game." [1]
The world body said the 2026 tournament is set to generate around US$13 billion in earnings across the current four-year World Cup cycle. It added the expanded financial package comes as the competition prepares for its biggest edition yet, with 48 teams in the field. [1]
The 2026 World Cup is scheduled to kick off in Mexico City on June 11. Fifa announced the increased distributions and law changes on 2026-04-29, with the next major date now the start of the tournament in less than six weeks. [1]