The FIFA World Cup has come a long way since its inaugural edition in Uruguay in 1930, when only 13 teams competed. For the 2026 tournament, that number has expanded to a record 48 teams, marking a new era for the world’s biggest football event.
With the expansion of the tournament, FIFA’s revenues have also grown significantly, leading to a substantial increase in World Cup prize money. As a result, the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) is also set to benefit from FIFA’s revenue-sharing program.
FIFA has announced a record prize pool of US$871 million for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, representing an increase of nearly 65 percent compared to the 2022 edition. Under FIFA’s financial distribution policy, a portion of the revenue generated from the World Cup is allocated to its member associations to support football development. Consequently, Bangladesh, along with other FIFA member nations, is expected to receive funding for the development of the sport after the tournament concludes.
Former Bangladesh national footballer Zulfikar Mahmud Mintu explained that FIFA distributes part of its World Cup earnings among all member associations, including Bangladesh.
“One of FIFA’s key objectives is to support the development of football across its member countries by sharing a portion of the revenue generated from the World Cup,” he said.
Mintu also noted that the expansion of the tournament has created new opportunities for many nations. Countries in Asia and Africa, in particular, now have a greater chance of qualifying for the World Cup, making the qualification process even more competitive.
The financial rewards for participating teams in the 2026 World Cup have also increased significantly. Each qualified team will receive US$2.5 million to cover preparation costs, including training camps and travel expenses.
The 16 teams eliminated in the group stage will earn an additional US$10 million, bringing their total earnings to US$12.5 million.
Teams eliminated in the next stage will receive US$12 million, while those knocked out in the Round of 16 will earn US$16 million each. The four quarter-finalists eliminated at that stage will receive US$20 million.
The fourth-placed team will be awarded US$27 million, while the third-placed team will receive US$29 million. The runners-up will take home US$33 million, and the 2026 FIFA World Cup champions will receive a record-breaking US$50 million, the highest prize ever awarded to a World Cup winner.
