The FIFA Council has approved a landmark increase in financial distribution for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with nearly $900 million set to be shared among all 48 participating teams.
Meeting ahead of the 76th FIFA Congress in Vancouver—one of the host cities for the expanded tournament—the Council confirmed that total team allocations will rise by 15% to $871 million, reflecting the growing commercial strength of the competition.
The new financial structure includes a significant boost in preparation funds, which will increase from $1.5 million to $2.5 million per team. Qualification payments will also rise from $9 million to $10 million, while additional support exceeding $16 million will be provided to cover team delegation costs and expanded ticket allocations.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino hailed the decision, emphasizing the organization’s strong financial position and commitment to reinvesting in the global game.
“FIFA is proud to be in its most solid financial position ever, enabling us to help all our Member Associations in an unprecedented way,” he said.
Beyond financial matters, the Council also approved several regulatory changes for the 2026 tournament. Notably, single yellow cards will now be reset twice—after the group stage and again after the quarter-finals—accounting for the competition’s expanded format, which introduces an additional knockout round.
In addition, new disciplinary measures will be enforced following guidance from The IFAB. Players who leave the pitch in direct protest of a referee’s decision or deliberately cover their mouths during confrontations with opponents will be subject to sanctions, including red cards.
In a separate decision, FIFA also confirmed that an Afghan Women’s Refugee Team will be permitted to compete in FIFA competitions, marking a significant step toward inclusivity in global football.
With increased financial incentives and updated regulations, the 2026 FIFA World Cup is set to usher in a new era for the sport on and off the pitch.
