FIFA Set to Distribute Over $1 Billion in Prize Money for Expanded Club World Cup
FIFA has announced plans to allocate more than $1 billion in prize money for the upcoming Club World Cup, which will expand to 32 teams for the first time this summer. This significant financial boost comes as the European Club Association (ECA), representing major clubs like Chelsea and Manchester City, nears a deal with FIFA.
The tournament, scheduled to take place in the United States from June 14 to July 13, 2025, will feature 32 clubs, including 12 from Europe. The prize money will be distributed across a seven-match format, making it one of the most lucrative competitions in club football history. This initiative is partly funded by a $1 billion global TV deal secured with sports streaming service DAZN in December.
Each participating club will receive a participation fee for entering the group stage, along with performance bonuses based on their progress in the tournament. Additionally, FIFA is in discussions with the ECA about implementing substantial solidarity payments for clubs that do not qualify for the tournament, with similar distributions expected for clubs in Africa, Asia, and the Americas in the future.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino emphasized the tournament’s potential to showcase solidarity within the football community. “The FIFA Club World Cup will not only be the pinnacle of club football but also a vivid demonstration of solidarity that will benefit clubs at large,” he stated. “All revenue generated by the tournament will be distributed to the participating clubs, and FIFA will not keep a single dollar.”
The ECA has remained tight-lipped about the ongoing negotiations but is anticipated to secure a larger share of revenue compared to clubs from other continents due to the prominence of their teams in the competition. Clubs such as Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, and Paris Saint-Germain are among those represented by the ECA.
Real Madrid, who have ongoing ties to the breakaway European Super League, are not part of the ECA, which has committed to supporting the Club World Cup until at least 2030 through a memorandum of understanding signed in 2023.
While clubs outside Europe have expressed support for the competition, many are still waiting for clarity on the financial aspects of their participation. Infantino reiterated FIFA’s commitment to global inclusivity, stating, “Whatever FIFA does has to be global and give opportunities to everyone all over the world.”
As excitement builds for the inaugural tournament, a FIFA Council meeting is scheduled to provide updates on the progress of the event, which will be hosted across 12 stadiums in 11 U.S. cities.
With significant financial incentives and a broadened competitive landscape, the upcoming Club World Cup promises to be a historic chapter in football.
