As part of a newly announced $1bn prize pool, FIFA is set to offer the largest-ever winner’s cheque for a football tournament. The upcoming 32-team Club World Cup, scheduled to take place in the United States from June 14 to July 13, will see the winning team walk away with a record $125m.
FIFA has allocated $525m in guaranteed fees for teams participating in the tournament, with the top-ranked European side — likely Real Madrid — set to receive $38.19m. Meanwhile, Auckland City from Oceania will earn a minimum of $3.58m for their participation.
The remaining $475m will be distributed based on results, with $2m awarded for each group stage win, $7.5m for teams advancing to the round of 16, and $40m for the ultimate champion at the MetLife Stadium near New York.
FIFA’s decision to finalize the prize fund came after a global broadcast deal was signed with streaming service DAZN, which is backed by a Saudi Arabian sports agency. Saudi Arabia, recently confirmed as host of the 2034 World Cup, has increasingly become involved in global football.
The Club World Cup will feature 12 European teams, each earning at least $12.81m in entry fees. Manchester City, Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain, and Chelsea have qualified through their Champions League victories between 2021 and 2024. Due to country caps, teams like Liverpool and Barcelona were blocked from participating, while Salzburg secured the final European spot. Six South American teams will receive $15.21m each for participating, while teams from Africa, Asia, and CONCACAF, including Inter Miami, will earn $9.55m.
In addition to the main prize pool, FIFA plans to distribute $250m to clubs worldwide that did not qualify for the tournament. However, the details of how many clubs will receive this payment or how much they will get remain unclear.
For context, the prize pool for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar totaled $440m, further highlighting the unprecedented scale of the upcoming Club World Cup.