Photo: EPA
Participants in the tournament will receive substantial financial rewards. FIFA has unveiled the prize fund for teams competing in the 2026 World Cup, according to the organization’s official website.
At a meeting of the FIFA Council, a record prize pool of $727 million was approved — the largest in World Cup history. This amount is 50% higher than the prize money at the 2022 tournament in Qatar.
Each team that qualifies for the final stage of the World Cup will be guaranteed $9 million, plus an additional $1.5 million to cover preparation costs. The remaining amounts will depend on sporting results. The world champion will receive $50 million in prize money.
Prize money distribution for the 2026 World Cup:
- Champion: $50 million
- Runner-up: $33 million
- Third place: $29 million
- Fourth place: $27 million
- 5th–8th places: $19 million
- 9th–16th places: $15 million
- 17th–32nd places: $11 million
- 33rd–48th places: $9 million
The 2026 World Cup will take place from June 11 to July 19 in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. For the first time in history, 48 national teams will compete in the tournament.
To qualify for the final stage, Ukraine must advance through the European playoff. Serhii Rebrov’s team will face Sweden in the semifinal on March 26, with the winner meeting either Poland or Albania in the final on March 31 for a place at the World Cup.
If Ukraine qualifies, it will play in Group F alongside the Netherlands, Japan, and Tunisia.
