History of FIFA World Cup Prize Money Since 1982
FIFA has announced record-breaking $652 million in prize money fund for 2026 World Cup, more than double the amount distributed at Qatar 2022.
This record-breaking increase is driven by the tournament’s expansion to 48 teams and its staging across three countries (USA, Canada, and Mexico). FIFA has also reported unprecedented revenue for the 2023–26 cycle, projected at around $13 billion, with an estimated $8.9 billion generated directly from the 2026 World Cup.Evolution of FIFA World Cup Prize Money Fund Since 1982:
Prize money fund for world cups has increase at incredible pace since 1982. From only $20 million in 1982 to $896 million in 2026. Each tournament has set a new financial benchmark, showing why FIFA world cup is the most watched tournament in the world.
Below is the full historical breakdown of Football World Cup prize funds from 1982 to 2026, showing how much total fund was available for each tournament and how much of it went to winners, and runners-up in each tournament.
| World Cup | Total Fund | Winner | Runner-up |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 - Spain | $20m | $1.4m | $900k |
| 1986 - Mexico | $26m | $2.2m | $1.6m |
| 1990 - Italy | $54m | $3.5m | $2.5m |
| 1994 - USA | $71m | $4.5m | $3m |
| 1998 - France | $103m | $6.5m | $4.5m |
| 2002 - Korea/Japan | $156.6m | $8.5m | $6.3m |
| 2006 - Germany | $266m | $18m | $12m |
| 2010 - South Africa | $348m | $30m | $20m |
| 2014 - Brazil | $358m | $35m | $24m |
| 2018 - Russia | $400m | $38m | $29m |
| 2022 - Qatar | $440m | $42m | $30m |
| 2026 - USA/CA/MX | $652 million | $50m* | $35m* |
FIFA Annual Report 2022, and 2023/26. All prize money fund figures are based on FIFA's revenue reports based on relative financial cycle. 2026 fund is confirmed at $652 million you can check the Full World Cup 2026 Prize Money breakdown.
Types of Payments in Prize Money Fund:
There are two types of payments allocated in total prize money fund.
1️⃣ Performance Based - One which is awarded based on guaranteed payments & team's performance and final finish.
2️⃣ Other Payments - second part is used to compensate parent clubs of players participating in World Cup under 'Club protection programme'. That is why you will see different figures of total prize money fund while searching the topic.
For example in Russia 2018, FIFA paid $400 million in prize money to national teams participating in the final tournament. While another $209m was paid to clubs under Club Benefits Programme. Some industry-sources reference a total payout of $791 for 2018 Russia which is true but include payments such as team's preparations costs, insurances and club protection programme.
The financial figures you see in the table above are strictly quoting World Cup prize money pools distributed in final tournament according to FIFA's official revenue/expense reports and do not include any other payments.
Read our detailed report on FIFA World Cup 2026 Revenue and Distribution which explain how FIFA generate money not only in world cup year but through the traditional 4-year financial cycle in this case 2023/26.