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FIFA boosts 2026 World Cup prize money by 15%, enhances support for teams
🇨🇲 Cameroon /Sports

FIFA boosts 2026 World Cup prize money by 15%, enhances support for teams

From Journal du Cameroun · (8m ago) French Positive tone

Translated from French, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • FIFA has increased the prize money for the 2026 World Cup by 15%, allocating a total of $871 million to the 48 participating teams.
  • The preparation fund for teams has risen from $1.5 million to $2.5 million, and the qualification fund has increased from $9 million to $10 million.
  • FIFA also amended regulations to allow the Afghan women's refugee team to compete in official FIFA competitions and will annul single yellow cards after the group stage and quarterfinals of the 2026 World Cup.

The FIFA Council's decision to boost the 2026 World Cup prize money by 15% reflects a significant financial strengthening within the organization, as highlighted by FIFA President Gianni Infantino. This increase, bringing the total distribution to $871 million for the expanded 48-team tournament, underscores FIFA's commitment to reinvesting its resources into the global football community.

La FIFA est fière de se trouver dans la situation financière la plus solide jamais vue, ce qui nous permet d’aider toutes nos associations membres d’une manière sans précédent.

— Gianni InfantinoFIFA President Gianni Infantino expressed pride in the organization's strong financial standing, enabling unprecedented support for member associations.

Beyond the increased prize money, FIFA has also enhanced team preparation and qualification funds, signaling a greater investment in the development and support of national teams. The specific increases—from $1.5 million to $2.5 million for preparation and $9 million to $10 million for qualification—demonstrate a tangible commitment to aiding teams financially.

A particularly noteworthy decision is the amendment allowing the Afghan women's refugee team to participate in official FIFA competitions. This move, supported by FIFA's "Afghan Women United" initiative, aims to provide a pathway for female athletes who may not otherwise be able to represent their nations on the international stage. It's a step towards greater inclusivity and support for marginalized teams.

C’est un exemple supplémentaire de la manière dont les ressources de la FIFA sont réinvesties dans le jeu.

— Gianni InfantinoInfantino highlighted the prize money increase as an example of FIFA reinvesting its resources back into the sport.

Furthermore, the Council's decision to annul single yellow cards after the group stage and again after the quarterfinals of the 2026 World Cup is a significant regulatory change. This aims to ensure that players do not miss crucial knockout-stage matches due to accumulated cautions from earlier rounds, potentially leading to more exciting and star-studded matches in the latter stages of the tournament.

Nous sommes fiers du beau voyage initié par Afghan Women United, et avec cette initiative, nous souhaitons leur permettre, ainsi qu’aux autres associations membres de la FIFA qui pourraient ne pas être en mesure d’inscrire une équipe nationale ou représentative pour une compétition de la FIFA, de passer à l’étape suivante, en coordination avec la confédération concernée

— Gianni InfantinoInfantino discussed the initiative to support the Afghan women's refugee team and other member associations facing challenges in fielding national teams.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Journal du Cameroun in French. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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