FIFA is preparing to allocate an unprecedented $355 million USD (equivalent to about $488 million CAD) to clubs worldwide through the expanded Club Benefits Programme (CBP) connected to the 2026 World Cup, as announced by the global soccer governing body on Tuesday. For the first time, clubs releasing players for World Cup qualifiers will receive compensation, regardless of the player’s participation in the final tournament. This development represents a substantial increase of almost 70% from the $209 million USD distributed after each of the preceding two editions held in Qatar in 2022 and Russia in 2018.
The initiative is part of a renewed memorandum of understanding between FIFA and the European Club Association (ECA) inked in March 2023, with the aim of fostering a more inclusive and fair system for global club football. FIFA President Gianni Infantino emphasized the significance of acknowledging the significant contributions made by clubs and players worldwide to both the qualifiers and the final tournament through the enhanced FIFA Club Benefits Programme for the 2026 World Cup.
Initiated for the 2010 World Cup, the CBP saw 440 clubs from 51 FIFA member nations receive payments under the 2022 program. Payments were calculated based on a daily rate for the duration players were involved with their respective squads during the tournament, with Manchester City receiving the largest payout of nearly $4.6 million from the 2022 program. With the inclusion of compensation for qualifiers in the 2026 edition, the number of clubs benefiting from the program is expected to see a significant rise.
ECA Chairman Nasser Al-Khelaifi hailed the program as “innovative,” emphasizing the crucial role that clubs play in the success of national team football. The 2026 World Cup is scheduled to take place from June 11 to July 19 in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, with a record 48 national teams participating in the tournament.