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We're down to the final eight teams at the 2026 World Cup, meaning we will have a champion very soon. They'll celebrate with champagne, cheers, and there will be (obviously) tons of posts on social media, with fans chanting their praises in a way only soccer fans know how to do.
But how much do the champions get paid?
Of the eight teams remaining in the tournament, only four — Argentina, England, Spain, and France — have ever won the World Cup. That means the other four countries not only have an opportunity to make history, but also earn themselves a massive payday.
More: World Cup winners (England) and losers (FIFA) from the round of 16
Here's what players at the 2026 World Cup get paid, based on where their team finishes:
The winning team at the 2026 World Cup will earn $51 million (USD), per Sports Illustrated, in addition to the $2.5 million in preparation costs each country was given ahead of the tournament.
From there, teams earn less and less based on how they finish.
Per SI, $871 million was offered to cover costs and payment for the 48 participating teams, a 50% increase from the 2022 tournament in Qatar (which also featured less teams).
The USMNT earned $16 million by virtue of reaching the round of 16. However, that money will be split equally between the USMNT and the U.S. women's national team.
Per the 2022 collective bargaining agreement ratified by U.S. Soccer, 20% of winnings from each World Cup will be given to U.S. Soccer, while the remaining 80% will be split between the men's and women's national teams.
Similarly, the prize money that the United States women's national team could earn, assuming they qualify for the 2027 Women's World Cup, would be split with the men's team. Prize money for the 2027 Women's World Cup has yet to be confirmed, although the tournament did see a massive pay increase between 2019 ($30 million) and 2023 ($110 million).
As for right now, the men's team and the 26 members of next year's women's team took home approximately $246,153.85 each — 80% of $16 million divided by the 52 men and women representing the United States this year and next.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY Sports: World Cup prize money: How much does 2026 champion get paid?
Continue reading...
But how much do the champions get paid?
Of the eight teams remaining in the tournament, only four — Argentina, England, Spain, and France — have ever won the World Cup. That means the other four countries not only have an opportunity to make history, but also earn themselves a massive payday.
More: World Cup winners (England) and losers (FIFA) from the round of 16
Here's what players at the 2026 World Cup get paid, based on where their team finishes:
How much does the 2026 World Cup champion get paid?
The winning team at the 2026 World Cup will earn $51 million (USD), per Sports Illustrated, in addition to the $2.5 million in preparation costs each country was given ahead of the tournament.
From there, teams earn less and less based on how they finish.
- 1st place: $51 million
- 2nd place: $34 million
- 3rd place: $30 million
- 4th place: $28 million
- 5th-8th place: $20 million
- 9th-16th place: $16 million
- 17th-32nd place: $12 million
- 33rd-48th place: $10 million
How much financial contribution was given in total?
Per SI, $871 million was offered to cover costs and payment for the 48 participating teams, a 50% increase from the 2022 tournament in Qatar (which also featured less teams).
How much money did the USMNT earn?
The USMNT earned $16 million by virtue of reaching the round of 16. However, that money will be split equally between the USMNT and the U.S. women's national team.
Per the 2022 collective bargaining agreement ratified by U.S. Soccer, 20% of winnings from each World Cup will be given to U.S. Soccer, while the remaining 80% will be split between the men's and women's national teams.
Similarly, the prize money that the United States women's national team could earn, assuming they qualify for the 2027 Women's World Cup, would be split with the men's team. Prize money for the 2027 Women's World Cup has yet to be confirmed, although the tournament did see a massive pay increase between 2019 ($30 million) and 2023 ($110 million).
As for right now, the men's team and the 26 members of next year's women's team took home approximately $246,153.85 each — 80% of $16 million divided by the 52 men and women representing the United States this year and next.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY Sports: World Cup prize money: How much does 2026 champion get paid?
Continue reading...
