World Cup: Enyimba, Remo to benefit from FIFA’s $355m windfall

Nigerian football clubs Enyimba and Remo Stars are set to receive financial benefits from FIFA's expanded Club Benefits Programme, which now includes payments for players released for World Cup qualifying matches. This initiative aims to reward clubs for contributing players to international competitions, with a total fund of $355 million allocated for this purpose.

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The FIFA Council has confirmed that the $355m fund agreed as part of the renewed memorandum of understanding between FIFA and European Football Clubs, which represents a 70 per cent increase compared to the 2022 edition, will be split into two distinct allocations.

FIFA has detailed that clubs will receive a minimum of $2,360 for each player per match during the qualifying campaigns. This represents a significant increase from previous editions, with $100 million earmarked specifically for clubs releasing players for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. An additional $250 million is designated for clubs whose players participate in the final tournament.

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A total of $100m has been reserved for clubs that released players for FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers, distributed on a per-player, per-match basis. With 905 qualifying matches having been played, the anticipated benefit stands at approximately $2,360 per player, per match.

During the recent 10-match qualifying campaign for the 2026 World Cup, Remo Stars released four players, participating in a total of 14 matches. This is expected to earn them approximately $35,400 (around N48.14 million). Enyimba released goalkeeper Olorunleke Ojo for two matches, a contribution that should yield about $4,720 (approximately N6.42 million). FIFA clarified that clubs qualify for these payments as long as their players were included in the matchday squads, even if they did not play in the games.

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The minimum expected return is approximately USD 5,000 per player, per day, with the final figures to be confirmed after the tournament.