World Cup 2026 Prize Money: Winner Banks a Record $50M

The 2026 World Cup will be the most lucrative in history. FIFA has confirmed an $871 million financial package for the 48 nations heading to the United States, Mexico and Canada this summer, of which roughly $703 million is performance-based prize money. That headline figure is a steep jump from the $440 million pool handed out in Qatar 2022, and it grew in two stages: the FIFA Council first approved a record $727 million package on 17 December 2025, then topped it up by a further 15% at its meeting in Vancouver in April 2026.

The team that lifts the trophy on 19 July at MetLife Stadium will earn $50 million, the largest single prize in tournament history and $8 million more than the $42 million Argentina banked for winning in 2022. The runners-up collect $33 million, the third-placed side $29 million and the fourth-placed team $27 million. Every quarter-finalist is guaranteed $19 million, each round-of-16 team $15 million and the sides eliminated in the new round of 32 take $11 million home.

Even teams that bow out in the group stage are well rewarded, with $10 million each across three matches. On top of that, FIFA is paying every qualified nation a preparation contribution, which guarantees all 48 participants a minimum of around $12.5 million simply for reaching the expanded finals. The bigger field of 48 teams and 104 matches is the main reason the federation can afford to be so generous, with President Gianni Infantino describing FIFA as being in its most solid financial position ever.

The physical prize is just as storied as the cheque. The FIFA World Cup Trophy stands about 36.8 cm tall, weighs roughly 6.1 kilograms and is made of 18-karat gold with a base of two malachite layers. It was designed by Italian sculptor Silvio Gazzaniga for the 1974 tournament, depicting two figures holding up the Earth, and it lives at the FIFA World Football Museum in Zürich. Winners do not actually keep the original; they are handed a gold-plated bronze replica to take home.

So which of these well-paid squads is most likely to walk away with the $50 million and the gold? Our model makes Spain the favourite, just ahead of Argentina, with France and Brazil completing the top four. You can see the full odds for all 48 teams in our World Cup 2026 predictions, or run your own bracket in the match simulator to find out who your champion might be.