FIFA to pay clubs Sh45.9 billion for releasing players to World Cup 2026

FIFA will distribute $355 million (Sh45.9 billion) to clubs worldwide for releasing players to the World Cup 2026, under an expanded Club Benefits Programme that, for the first time, also includes payments linked to completed World Cup qualifying matches.

The fund, part of the FIFA Club Benefits Programme, represents a 70 per cent increase compared to the 2022 tournament and is intended to spread financial rewards more widely across clubs that contribute players to international football.

“The new system and distribution model are intended to be more inclusive and solidarity-driven by increasing the number of clubs that benefit from the Programme,” FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafström said in a circular on Friday.

Of the $355 million, $250 million (Sh32.3 billion) will be allocated to clubs releasing players for the World Cup finals, $100 million (Sh12.9 billion) will go to clubs that released players during the qualifying campaign and $5 million (Sh646.7 million) for administration and broader support for club football.

The World Cup qualifying campaign has similarly been included in the programme for the first time, with clubs now getting compensated for players who participated in the 905 qualifying matches across the global campaign.

“For the first time, the Programme will include contributions for players who participated in the qualifying pathways for the tournament,” Grafström said.

For the upcoming World Cup finals, scheduled for June 11 to July 19, clubs will receive payments based on the length of time players are released for national team duty, with average earnings estimated at about $5,000 (Sh646,700) per player per day. For the completed qualifying matches, payments are calculated at about $2,362 (Sh305,501) per player per match.

According to FIFA, eligibility is based strictly on player registration during the relevant international release period. Only the club holding a player’s registration at the time of release will qualify for payment for that period.

Replacement players called up to national squads are also included in the system, along with players whose contracts expire during the release period. In such cases, eligibility is determined by the period during which each club held the player’s registration.

The payment calculations will only be completed after the World Cup ends, once all player participation data is reviewed. Payments will then be distributed through national football associations, with clubs expected to receive funds by the end of 2026.

“The amounts due will be transferred to the bank account of the relevant member Association gross, subject to the deduction of any applicable taxes,” said the FIFA Sec-Gen.

“The relevant member associations will be responsible for redistributing such amounts to their respective clubs in accordance with the detailed breakdown provided by FIFA.“