FIFA will pay a total prize of $1 billion for participants in the Club World Cup this year in the United States.
The figure is far more than the bonus offered by the men’s or women’s World Cup last time.
The governing body of World Football has little details on the funding for the first edition of the 32-team tournament held every four years, but has signed broadcasters and major sponsors in recent weeks.
British streaming service DAZN has been awarded exclusive global rights to the tournament from December 14 to July 13, and sources close to negotiations say the contract is worth about 1 billion euros ($1.05 billion).
In addition, FIFA has received sponsorship agreements with major brands such as Coca-Cola, Bank of America, Chinese electronics company Histense and Belgian brewer AB INBEV.
Interestingly, the total prize money for the 2022 FIFA Men’s World Cup held in Qatar was US$440 million, while the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand’s 2023 Women’s Awards received US$110 million.
Meanwhile, the newly expanded UEFA Champions League this season will feature 36 clubs and will be allocated 2.47 billion euros ($2.66 billion).
Despite the coveted payments, FIFA has received steadfast criticism for the club’s World Cup. Global Football Players League FIFPRO and the European League Association have filed a complaint with the European Commission, accusing FIFA of using its position and overloading the football calendar, raising concerns about player benefits.
The tournament will include 12 teams from Europe, 6 teams from South America, 4 teams from Asia, Africa and North and Central America, and the city of Oakland and Lionel Messi’s Miami Miami completed the roster.
Elite clubs like Real Madrid, Chelsea and Manchester City also line up to earn a generous bonus pool. The European Club Association (ECA) continues to negotiate on behalf of European clubs and also discusses discussions on solidarity payments for non-participating clubs.
The tournament will be held at 12 venues in 11 cities in the U.S. to finalize the final at the Metropolitan Life Stadium in New Jersey, which will also compete in the 2026 World Cup final.
