FIFA to distribute wealth to clubs

FIFA will pay a total of $355 million to clubs for players participating in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

Under the renewed memorandum of understanding signed between FIFA and the European Club Association (ECA) in March 2023, the money distributed to clubs sending players to some World Cup events will be applied to World Cup "qualifiers" for the first time.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino stated that the FIFA Club Benefits Programme has provided support to a large number of clubs and players, saying, " A record $355 million will be distributed to clubs for the release of their players, reinforcing our solid partnership with the European Club Association and clubs worldwide as we look forward to a groundbreaking and globally inclusive version of the FIFA World Cup next year ."

The amount to be distributed under the Club Benefits Program represents an increase of approximately 70 percent compared to the $209 million paid to clubs for the 2022 Qatar World Cup.