FIFA has officially announced that it will provide compensation to clubs that release players for the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, with a total amount of $355 million.
A record number of clubs will benefit from the FIFA World Cup. FIFA is set to implement an enhanced version of the "Club Benefits Programme" (CBP) for the 2026 World Cup.
According to the latest Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between FIFA and the European Club Association (ECA) in March 2023, clubs that release players for the 2026 World Cup will collectively benefit from a total of $355 million.
For the first time since the programme’s inception, the distribution principles have been adjusted: all clubs whose players directly participate in either the World Cup Qualifiers or the World Cup Finals will be eligible for a share of the solidarity fund. The new model means that any club that releases a player for the World Cup Qualifiers will receive direct compensation, regardless of whether the player qualifies for the Finals. This additional measure aims to further enhance solidarity and achieve a fairer and more inclusive redistribution for global club football.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino said: “The enhanced Club Benefits Programme takes a step further at the 2026 World Cup, as it financially recognizes the significant contributions made by numerous clubs and their players worldwide to the organization of both the Qualifiers and the Finals.”
“A record $355 million will be distributed to clubs as compensation for releasing their players. This also strengthens our close cooperation with the European Club Association and clubs around the world. Together, we look forward to a landmark World Cup that is truly globally inclusive.”
Nasser Al-Khelaifi, President of the European Club Association, said: “We are pleased to collaborate with FIFA to advance this innovative Club Benefits Programme. It will ensure that more clubs around the world are rewarded for releasing their players, fully demonstrating how the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the ECA and FIFA supports the development of global club football.”
“Clubs play a crucial role in the success of national team football, and this initiative recognizes the efforts made at all stages – from the early development of players to the final release of players to participate in the most important competitions. We look forward to continuing our close cooperation with FIFA and the global football community to drive the growth and development of international football.”
Further details regarding the CBP’s distribution model will be announced in due course, including the registration process for clubs to submit their applications.
For the previous edition – the third version of the CBP implemented during the 2022 World Cup – a total of 440 clubs from 51 FIFA member associations across six continents shared $209 million.
