Fifa has announced a significant increase in prize money for the 2026 World Cup, with the champions set to receive $50 million. This record payout comes as the international football governing body faces intense criticism over soaring ticket prices for the tournament, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

The total prize fund for the expanded 48-team competition has risen to $727 million, a 50% jump from the $486 million distributed at the 2022 Qatar World Cup. This substantial increase in funds allocated to participating nations aims to reflect the growing scale and global appeal of the tournament.

However, the announcement is overshadowed by widespread fan anger over ticket costs, which are reportedly up to five times more expensive than in 2022. Many supporters expressed dismay at the prohibitive prices, making it difficult for average fans to attend matches, particularly those following their national teams.

In response to the mounting pressure, Fifa has introduced a new category of $60 tickets for every game. This move is intended to offer a more affordable option, though concerns remain that only a small fraction of these tickets will be available to the general public.

Football Supporters Europe acknowledged Fifa’s partial concession but argued that the revised ticketing strategy does not go far enough. They stated that the limited allocation of cheaper tickets means the vast majority of fans will still face “extortionate prices” far exceeding those seen in previous tournaments.

Beyond the main prize money, Fifa will also provide $1.5 million to each participating nation to assist with preparation costs. This additional financial support is designed to help teams adequately prepare for the expanded tournament format.

Read Original

Keywords: Fifa World Cup prize money, 2026 World Cup tickets, football fan backlash, Fifa ticket prices, World Cup champions prize, football governing body, tournament prize fund, fan affordability