FIFA will “increase payments to teams taking part in the 2026 World Cup to almost” $900M, “citing the commercial success” of the expanded tournament. The FIFA Council, meeting in Vancouver ahead of the 76th FIFA Congress, “approved a 15% increase in the resources to be distributed to all 48 participating member associations.” The total pot will rise to $871M, with “each participating team receiving increased preparation money” of $2.5M, up from $1.5M. Qualification money “will also increase” from $9M to $10M, and additional team contributions will “include subsidies for team delegation costs and increased team ticketing allocations totalling more than” $16M (REUTERS, 4/28). The increase in funds was announced after reports that “nations were expressing concern about the costs they’ll accrue during the World Cup, including travel, tax payments and operational expenses.” Among other decisions made by the council was confirming that FIFA President Gianni Infantino “will be up for election for the 2027-2031 term.” The electoral period begins April 30 and “runs through the election at next year’s FIFA Congress.” Also of note, the FIFA Women’s Champions Cup “was awarded to Miami” and will take place Jan. 27-31, 2027 (USA TODAY, 4/28).
THE ATHLETIC cited FIFA sources as insisting that the increase “was not a reaction to UEFA’s lobbying nor to pressure from elsewhere.” The FIFA Council also confirmed that the increase “will be spread evenly across the 48 teams, rather than based on how far they progress in the tournament or based on where they will play their games.” Their costs “do vary by location, especially in the U.S., where tax rates differ significantly from state to state” (THE ATHLETIC, 4/28).
Meanwhile, a request for Infantino “to be given a level-four motorcade escort” for the FIFA Congress in Vancouver this week “was rejected by local police.” A level-four motorcade is typically what the Pope or U.S. President Trump “could expect to receive on a visit to Canada.” The request, which FIFA said that “was made without Infantino’s knowledge, was submitted by FWC26 Canada and dismissed by the local authorities” (THE ATHLETIC, 4/28).
Additionally, Iranian soccer execs were “unable to attend” an annual meeting of the sport’s Asian governing body in Canada “due to visa issues.” Held at the Vancouver Convention Centre two days before the broader FIFA Congress at the same venue, the Asian Football Confederation Congress “brought together officials from 46 of the 47 AFC members.” Most “participated, though some joined via Zoom.” But Iran’s delegates “did not participate at all” (THE ATHLETIC, 4/28).
