Kenyan local football clubs to pocket millions as FIFA extends World Cup rewards
THe programme will reward teams that release players for both the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers and the final tournament.
Kenyan Premier League clubs like Gor Mahia, Kenya Police FC are among clubs set to benefit financially from FIFA’s newly enhanced Club Benefits Programme (CBP), which will reward teams that release players for both the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers and the final tournament.
For the first time, FIFA has expanded the scheme to ensure that even clubs whose players only feature in the qualifiers — such as those who represent Harambee Stars — will receive a share of the solidarity fund. Before, clubs only received payments if their players advanced to the final tournament.
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FIFA confirmed that a record USD 355 million (Sh46 billion) will be distributed to clubs globally for the release of players, close to a 70 per cent increase from the USD 209 million (Sh30 billion) shared during the Qatar 2022 World Cup.
“The enhanced edition of the FIFA Club Benefits Programme for the FIFA World Cup 2026 is going a step further by recognising financially the huge contribution that so many clubs and their players around the world make,” said FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
The CBP was first introduced for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. In 2022, 440 clubs from 51 FIFA member associations received payments under the programme.
With the 2026 edition set to include compensation for qualifiers, the number of benefiting clubs is expected to rise significantly.
The move means that Kenyan clubs which give players to the national team for qualifiers — including established sides like Gor Mahia, Tusker, AFC Leopards, KCB Football Club and Bandari — stand to earn directly from their contribution to the Harambee Stars’ World Cup campaign.
European Club Association (ECA) Chairman Nasser Al-Khelaïfi welcomed the changes, calling it an “innovative programme” that ensures clubs worldwide are recognised for their role in developing players and supporting international football.
The details of the distribution model and registration process for clubs will be released in the coming months.
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