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Clubs to Receive Bigger FIFA Payouts as World Cup Compensation Fund Rises to $355m
Football clubs will receive higher payments from FIFA after the governing body raised its World Cup compensation fund by 70 percent to $355 million.
FIFA has increased the amount of money available to clubs that release players for the World Cup, with the governing body confirming a $355 million compensation package ahead of the expanded tournament.
The announcement, made on Friday, marks a 70 percent increase from the fund distributed during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. FIFA had previously outlined plans for the increase in September last year.
The governing body expects strong financial growth from the tournament cycle, forecasting a 56 percent rise in revenue compared to 2022 and a 72 percent increase in earnings across the 2023–2026 cycle, which includes the enlarged Club World Cup in 2025.
The next World Cup will be the largest in history, expanding from 32 to 48 teams. The number of matches will rise from 64 to 104, while the tournament duration will increase from 29 to 39 days.
A key change to the programme is that clubs will now be compensated for players involved in World Cup qualifying matches, a benefit not previously offered.
Under the scheme, $250 million will be distributed for player participation at the World Cup finals. FIFA estimates clubs will receive at least $5,000 per player per day during the tournament.
“These payments will be calculated on a per-player, per-day basis, taking into account both squad inclusion and the duration of each player’s involvement,” FIFA said.
An additional $100 million will be allocated to qualifying matches, with payments of $2,362 for every player named in a match-day squad across 905 qualifiers and 10 international friendlies involving the host nations.
The final $5 million will be used for administrative purposes, with any remaining funds redirected to support club football worldwide.
Highlighting the benefits of the tournament’s expansion, FIFA President Gianni Infantino said: “This is another benefit from the expanded FIFA World Cup – providing more support across the entire football ecosystem to the clubs that provide all the players who compete to shine on the global stage.”
According to FIFA, compensation payments will be determined by a player’s registered club at the time tournament squads are announced, while special provisions will apply to transfers and replacement players.
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