FIFA has announced that it is ready to distribute a record of US $ 355 million to clubs around the world as part of a Club Benefit Program (PBC) linked to the 2026 World Cup.
The initiative marks an increase of about 70% over the US $ 209 million (R $ 1.1 billion) paid after the 2022 tournament in Qatar.
For the first time, clubs that free players for the World Cup qualifiers – not just for the tournament themselves – will be offset.
The initiative is part of a renewed understanding between FIFA and the European Club Association (ECA), signed in March 2023, with the aim of creating a more inclusive and equitable system for global club football.
“The enhanced edition of the FIFA Club Benefit Program for the FIFA 2026 World Cup is taking a step further by recognizing the huge contribution that so many clubs and their players around the world make to perform the qualifiers and the final tournament,” said FIFA President Gianni Infantino in a statement.
The PBC was first introduced to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. In 2022, 440 clubs from 51 FIFA affiliated associations received payments from the program.
With the 2026 edition defined to include compensation for the qualifiers, it is expected that the number of clubs benefited significantly increases.
ECA President Nasser Al-Khelaifi called the “innovative” program.
“Clubs play a key role in the success of selections football,” he said. “This initiative recognizes all elements, from initial development to release to the most important games.”
The 2026 World Cup takes place from June 11 to July 19 in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
